Vilhelm Lauritzen & Frits Schlegel table lamp

This rare height-adjustable table lamp was designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen and Frits Schlegel and produced by Fritzsches Glashandel in Denmark in 1928. It represents an early example of Danish functionalist lighting design, where precision, proportion, and technical innovation were combined to achieve both utility and aesthetic clarity.

The lamp is made of nickel-plated metal with a polished surface that reflects light with subtle depth. Its form is defined by a conical shade mounted on a gently curved tubular arm, supported by an adjustable stem and circular base. The clean geometry and mechanical detailing, such as the height adjustment key and fastening screws, reveal an industrial influence tempered by refined craftsmanship. The overall expression is minimal and architectural, characteristic of Lauritzen and Schlegel’s shared approach to modern design in the late 1920s.

Vilhelm Lauritzen (1894–1984) was a leading figure of Danish modernism, known for integrating architecture and lighting into cohesive design systems. His collaborations often emphasized functional elegance and material honesty. Frits Schlegel (1896–1965), an architect and designer, was among the first in Denmark to adopt modernist principles, focusing on rational form and structural integrity. Their joint work for Fritzsches Glashandel illustrates a key transition in Danish lighting design—from decorative early modern styles toward the restrained functionalism that would define the mid-century era.

The lamp has been newly rewired and remains in excellent condition with signs of age and use, consistent with its period. The nickel-plated surface has developed a warm patina that enhances its historical character.

Width 22 cm (8.7 inches), depth 34 cm (13.4 inches), adjustable height from 44 to 64 cm (17.3 to 25.2 inches).