This vintage Anglepoise Model desk lamp in cream brings that classic British task lighting design from the 1930s into a softer color palette. The Model 1227 is George Carwardine's original 1934 design - the lamp that started it all - featuring his ingenious constant-tension spring mechanism that lets you position the light exactly where you need it and have it stay there, balanced perfectly like a human arm.
This example has the authentic Model 1227 shade with its characteristic rolled bottom edge - that distinctive detail that separates the original 1227 from later models like the 75 and 90. The conical shade, square-section arms, and four-spring mechanism are all correct to the 1227 specification. The cream finish shows honest wear from decades of use, giving it that proper vintage patina rather than looking artificially restored.
The base has been swapped at some point – it’s now fitted with a round base (likely from a later Model 90) rather than the original two-tier stepped base that would have come with a 1227. This kind of modification is actually quite common with vintage Anglepoise lamps that have been repaired and kept working over the years. The round base functions perfectly well with the 1227 mechanism, and some people actually prefer the cleaner profile. The important parts – that iconic rolled-edge shade and the original spring-balanced arm system – are all correct.
Perfect for desks, workbenches, or bedside reading where you need adjustable, directional light. These lamps were designed for proper task lighting, not decoration, so they’re genuinely useful rather than just looking good sitting there.
This piece remains in good vintage condition with wear and patina to the cream finish consistent with age and use. The shade and arms are original Model 1227 components. The base has been replaced with a round base from a later Anglepoise model. Fully functional and rewired for modern use.
This piece has found its new home, but plenty of other one-of-a-kind finds await you. Discover similar pieces.
Anglepoise was designed by George Carwardine in 1932 and manufactured by Herbert Terry & Sons in Redditch. The 1227 model became the iconic British task lamp.
The spring-balanced arm mechanism allows precise positioning without fixing - a genuine engineering innovation. Original models feature cast iron bases, steel shades, and bakelite fittings.
We stock Anglepoise desk lamps, all rewired to current safety standards with original mechanisms cleaned and serviced. Authentic Herbert Terry pieces, not modern reproductions.
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We hope you'll love your purchase, but if for any reason you change your mind, you're welcome to return it.
Please contact us within 14 days of receiving your item to arrange a return. Items must be sent back in their original condition within 30 days of delivery. The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
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George Carwardine (1887–1947) was a British automotive engineer and inventor whose pioneering work with spring-balanced mechanisms led to one of the most recognisable lighting designs of the 20th century.
Originally working in the motor industry, Carwardine developed a system of springs that allowed an object to be moved into position and remain there without the need for clamps or locking devices. Recognising its potential beyond automotive engineering, he applied the mechanism to a task lamp, creating the first Anglepoise design in the early 1930s.
The original four-spring Anglepoise lamp was launched in 1934, with the more familiar three-spring Model 1227 following in 1935. Manufactured by Herbert Terry & Sons, the lamps combined exceptional practicality with a distinctive industrial aesthetic, quickly becoming popular in homes, workshops and professional settings.
Carwardine’s ingenious balancing mechanism remains at the heart of the Anglepoise identity. His original design has inspired generations of later models, including the Model 75 introduced in 1968, and continues to be celebrated for its enduring combination of form, function and engineering innovation.
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