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1960s “Commissar” Table Lamp by Jan Suchan Elektrosvit Nové Zámky, Czechoslovakia
€170
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Brno, CzechiaOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 2 sales
Product description
Designed in the 1960s by Slovakian industrial designer Jan Suchan, this Bakelite table lamp—type 102 01, affectionately known as the “Commissar” is one of the most recognisable lights of its era. Produced by Elektrosvit Nové Zámky, it became a ubiquitous presence across Czechoslovakia: found illuminating police desks in films, perched in architecture studios, and quietly at work in countless households.
Its enduring appeal lies in the clarity of its industrial logic. The lamp’s clamp-on base anchors it securely to the edge of a desk, giving it excellent stability while preserving precious workspace. The articulated arm and directional shade allow the light to be positioned with remarkable precision - ideal for drawing, reading, or focused evening work.
The exterior of the shade is moulded in deep black Bakelite, while the inside reveals a contrasting steel reflectorthat amplifies and softens the light. Slim, polished metal support rods introduce a subtle gleam, underscoring the lamp’s purposeful, engineered aesthetic. An easy-to-reach inline switch sits along the cable, replaced in recent years with a faithful period-correct version.
More than half a century on, the “Commissar” feels strikingly contemporary: compact, utilitarian, and quietly sculptural.
This lamp is in good vintage condition, with small, expected signs of use - minor scratches to the base and body that testify to its working life. The lamp has been fully serviced, fitted with a new identical switch and cable, and is in perfect working order.
A true icon of Czechoslovak design - functional, characterful, and built for decades of use.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsSilverMaterialSilver, PlasticNumber of items1Height55 cmWidth60 cmDepth16 cmSigns of usageScratches
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Seller information
About this seller
Brno, CzechiaOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 2 sales