Vilhelm Lauritzen & Frits Schlegel floor lamp

This is a very rare floor lamp designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen and Frits Schlegel, produced by Fritzsche Glashandel in Denmark. Originally designed in 1928, this piece exemplifies early functionalist principles in Scandinavian lighting design, merging minimal material vocabulary with refined proportions. It features a clear architectural sensitivity, characteristic of both designers’ early modernist works.

The lamp is constructed from nickel-plated metal and black lacquered steel, with a smooth transition from the solid black cylindrical base support into a slender vertical shaft. From there, a graceful bent tube arches to hold a polished conical nickel shade. The shade is highly reflective and slightly flared at the bottom, directing a concentrated beam of light downward while echoing Bauhaus influences in its tapered geometry. The lamp’s height is adjustable through the telescopic mechanism integrated discreetly into the black cylindrical support.

The color palette is restrained and elegant, with the contrast between the matte black base and the lustrous nickel surface reinforcing the clarity of the silhouette. The overall form is extremely reduced, yet it remains expressive through careful consideration of curve, taper, and finish. This aesthetic restraint allows the lamp to function equally well in residential, institutional, or gallery settings.

Condition is good vintage, with a uniform patina to the nickel surfaces and light wear to the black lacquered base. The shade shows some surface marks and signs of oxidation consistent with age, which contribute to its historical authenticity. The mechanism is functional, and the lamp is structurally and electrically sound.

Vilhelm Lauritzen, a pioneer of Danish modernism, is best known for his role in shaping functionalist architecture in Denmark. His collaborations with Schlegel, another leading architect-designer of the period, produced a series of lighting designs that balanced industrial innovation with elegant restraint. This lamp model was prominently used in the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibitions during the 1930s and also appeared in Lauritzen’s architectural commissions. Notably, it was used by designer Finn Juhl in his own residence, which attests to its iconic status in Scandinavian design heritage.

This model was made in both table and floor versions, with options for glass or metal shades. The version shown here, with a metal conical reflector, emphasizes a sculptural-industrial character typical of early Danish modernism before the widespread adoption of organic forms.

Dimensions are 22 cm in width, 42 cm in depth, and 127 cm in height. In imperial units, that equates to approximately 8.7 inches wide, 16.5 inches deep, and 50 inches high. The lamp is height adjustable through its central column.