Bumling Pharmacy Lamp by Anders Pehrson, 1968

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Beautiful in creamy taupe, this rare version of the Bumling lamp is chic and functional. With a pivoting head and … Read more Beautiful in creamy taupe, this rare version of the Bumling lamp is chic and functional. With a pivoting head and pretzel base, this lamp will light up your space with style. Manufactured by and marked at Atelje Lyktan, Sweden 1968.

51" H x 10.5" W x 15" d

The Swedish word “Bumling” translates to boulder, and is used colloquially to describe things colossal or otherwise unwieldy. It is what a friend of the designer Anders Pehrson allegedly called Pehrson’s new lamp when it was first exhibited at the 1968 lighting fair in Gothenburg.

Swedish designer K. Anders Pehrson, born in 1912 in Gothenburg, initially studied engineering in his hometown. He joined Philips in 1952 as a Design Manager, a role he held until 1963.

In 1964, Pehrson took ownership of Ateljé Lyktan, a lighting manufacturer in Åhus, where he also served as Head of Operations and Artistic Director. Following the legacy of Ateljé Lyktan's founder, Hans Bergström, Pehrson focused on enhancing workplace lighting, but with a distinct shift. Unlike Bergström's bespoke approach, Pehrson favored industrial-scale production, promoting the idea that “good lighting is not always lots of light, but always several light sources.” This philosophy led to the creation of extensive lighting collections, or “families,” encouraging customers to build complete sets.

One of Pehrson's notable designs for Ateljé Lyktan was the Bumling ceiling lamp, introduced in 1968. Named after the Swedish word for ‘boulder,’ Bumling was a striking, bright green fixture over half a meter wide. Initially produced in six sizes and various colors, it quickly became popular both in Sweden and abroad. The high demand led Ateljé Lyktan to subcontract additional production. In 1970, following a lighting exhibition in Copenhagen, Pehrson was invited to propose a lighting concept for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. He developed an indoor lighting scheme featuring the 591 Simris table lamp and the 781 Simris floor lamp. Ateljé Lyktan supplied 16,300 lamps to the Olympic Village, marking the largest order in the company’s history.

51" H x 15" D x 10.5" W See less