Vintage 1964 Poole Pottery Helios By Robert Jefferson Table Lamp "GOLDENEYE"

Hello, and thanks for stopping by lumenowl!

PLEASE NOTE:

lumenowl lamps do not ship with lampshades, unless expressly stated. Lamps are modelled with a variety of shades to give a prospective buyer an idea of what might work in terms of size, shape and colour. If the shade modelled is available for purchase, the link to the third party seller is provided in the listing.

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INTRO:

This gorgeous, vintage 'Helios' lamp, designed by Poole Pottery visionary Robert Jefferson in 1964, is quintessential British modernism. Finished in a beautiful mottled gold and brown glaze with intricate patterning on all sides. This Helios would make a stunning bedside lamp, or perhaps tucked away in a huge bookshelf or media unit to create mood lighting.

Making this lamp all the more unique and rare is it's presented in the eliptical 'eye' form. I've wanted to work on one of these since I first founded lumenowl.

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A BIT OF HISTORY:

The enduring legacy of Poole Pottery is almost as dynamic as the vast, fabulously varied range of ceramics it produced. The company that eventually became known as Poole Pottery began life in 1873 as Carter & Company. By the mid-1880's, the company had established itself as a major player in ceramics marketplace, and was considered a serious competitor to even the most established ceramicists.

Despite changing times and tastes, the company endlessly adapted, surviving the financial and creative vacuums of both world wars. Sensing the seismic cultural and artistic shifts of the 1960's, the company formed a separate design studio, headed by designer Robert Jefferson, who worked in conjunction with artists Tony Morris and Guy Sydenham. The trio designed and produced stunning, avant-garde works (including the Helios lamp series) that remain highly sought after to this day. Jefferson eventually left Poole in 1966, as he had in his own words "designed himself out of a job". He continued on with a highly successful and celebrated painting career.

In 1963, the company officially rebranded as 'Poole Pottery'. Poole was sold at some of the world's most luxurious outlets, including Harrods, Selfridges and New York's own Bloomingdales. Sadly, like so many ceramicists before and after, Poole Pottery began losing money during the 1980's, and were simply unable to capture the same level of interest they once had so effortlessly commanded. Despite a flurry of buyouts and cash injections, Poole Pottery all but collapsed by the mid-2000's. In 2011, Poole Pottery was taken over by Denby Pottery.

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CONDITION:

The base is in stunning condition, and has hugely benefitted from a deep clean. The eye-catching glaze is still as potent as the day it was fired. There's a small, naturally occuring glaze burst on one side, but this is part of the firing process and not a fault. The underside of the base retains the original 'POOLE ENGLAND' stamp.

The original chrome lamp assembly was scratched, worn and wobbling... so it had to go. In its place now sits a brand new, polished chrome lamp assembly, hugely elevating the aesthetics of the lamp.

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THE TECHNICAL BIT:

GOLDENEYE has had all vintage electrical components removed, and now features a new, high quality, machine milled E14/SES screw chrome lamp holder (much more appropriate for a lamp of this size, and making it compatible with bulbs sold in the UK, Europe and the US), extended slightly from the base with new chrome fitments to ensure maximum visibility once the lampshade is added, and in-keeping with the original design.

GOLDENEYE has been rewired with luxurious quality 3-core bark coloured linen and rayon covered cable in a fantastic zig-zag pattern, featuring high quality white inline rocker switches 20cm from the lamp base (with another 1m from the switches to the matching white UK 3-pin plug). An internal cord grip in the base keeps the cable safely and sturdily in place. The metal lamp holder is fully earthed, and each lamp has been thoroughly PAT tested and approved (with a sticker affixed near the plug to show the PASS status). Components comprise of a British-made and certified lamp holder and plug, and Italian-made cable and switch, which have passed or exceeded relevant CE and EU electrical integrity tests.

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DIMENSIONS:

Height: 23cm
Width: 17cm
Depth: 13cm
Weight: 1.2KG

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LAMPSHADES:

If you're looking for a perfect shade to match your new lumenowl lamp, look no further than Etsy! The exact shade(s) modelled on the lamp can be found here:

littleredrobinco
20cm Neutral Linen Drum:
https://etsy.me/30CuUmW

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SHIPPING:

Every item is professionally wrapped, packaged and sent via UPS on a fully trackable service.

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DISCLAIMER:

Please note, when purchasing vintage glassware, earthenware, ceramics and wood etc., some age-related signs of wear such are to be expected. These include, but are not limited to; fine surface scratches/scuff marks, superficial chips, colour aberrations and dulling of parts that have been exposed to abrasive treatment. I ensure I list any aesthetic faults in both the descriptions and photographs, but please always satisfy yourself the item you are purchasing matches the description, of which the photographs form part of.