A restored and rewired three-part Holophane ceiling light with its original brass gallery, chain and rose, sourced in France and probably dating from the 1920s. The bulbholder inside the gallery can be adjusted up and down. Stamped Holophane and France around the necks of the top shades. In very good condition with no chips or cracks. There are one or two bubbles in the glass, from manufacture. Measurements are: approx 25cm (10") total height including the gallery, and 19cm (7 1/2") max width. The glass shades alone measure approx 14cm high. Each weighs 1.36kg (3lb).
The Holophane light began life in France in 1893 when Otis Mygatt discovered that placing optically engineered prisms of glass next to each other refracted light more strongly and efficiently. The effect is also very beautiful, and some wonderful pieces of lighting were created during the very earliest years of electricity. Lights such as this were often used in banks, stations and public buildings, and later were developed for home use when domestic houses begin to be electrified more widely during the 1920s and 30s. The Holophane patent was bought in the UK in 1896 when manufacturing began here, and a factory was also quickly established in the US. The company is still at the forefront of lighting technology today.
