Louis Kalff floor lamp

This very rare floor lamp was designed by Louis Kalff and produced by Philips in Germany during the 1950s. The lamp is a striking example of mid-century European lighting, showcasing dynamic posture, contrasting materials, and a sculptural silhouette. The structure combines a slender brass stem with a pair of angular, powder-coated steel wire legs in matte blue lacquer. This architectural base supports an upward-arching brass arm, which elegantly holds a flared, saucer-shaped shade made from yellow lacquered metal.

The geometry of the shade reflects Kalff’s signature style, blending industrial influences with biomorphic forms. The hourglass-like neck tapers out into a wide rim, which directs focused downlight while also diffusing ambient illumination. The inner surface of the shade is finished in white, enhancing its reflectivity and improving light diffusion. The lamp’s frame has an offset stance, creating visual tension between the slender metal supports and the projecting body, resulting in a composition that feels both stable and visually light.

Louis Kalff (1897–1976) was a Dutch industrial designer and art director for Philips, where he played a pivotal role in designing some of the company’s most iconic lighting objects during the mid-20th century. Kalff’s work often featured bold color choices and futuristic forms, while maintaining technical sophistication and practicality for mass production.

The lamp stands at 135 cm in height, with a depth of 80 cm and a width of 32.5 cm (53.1 x 31.5 x 12.8 inches). It remains in good vintage condition, showing signs of age and use, including a patinated brass stem, minor lacquer losses on the yellow and blue painted surfaces, and wear to the original floor switch. Despite these signs of wear, the lamp remains structurally sound and fully functional. Its visual impact and rarity make it a significant example of postwar European lighting design.