Adjustable Arc Floor Lamp attributed to Gepo Amsterdam, White and Chrome, 1970s

This arc floor lamp was made in the Netherlands in the 1970s and is attributed to Gepo, the lighting company founded by the Posthuma brothers in Amsterdam. Gepo produced some of the most characteristic Dutch lighting of the period, often in chrome with white lacquer and clear acrylic details, and this lamp carries that same combination.

A slim chromed arc rises from a white lacquered base and curves over to hold a round white shade. The shade tilts on its joint, so you can aim the light straight down onto a table or turn it toward a reading chair. The joint is covered by a ribbed black sleeve, and three narrow ventilation slits are cut into the top of the shade, a small functional detail that also gives the lamp its graphic character. The stem is telescopic: with the arc lowered the lamp stands 180 cm high, and extended it reaches around 210 cm, so you can adjust it to the height of your sofa, dining table or ceiling.

The design shows the clear influence of Joe Colombo's Coupé series for O-Luce, which set the tone for Italian lighting at the end of the 1960s. Gepo translated that idea into a Dutch interpretation with its own detailing and construction. The result is a lamp that works as a reading light and as a sculptural line in the room at the same time.

Details
Manufacturer: attributed to Gepo, Amsterdam
Origin: Netherlands
Period: 1970s
Materials: chromed steel, lacquered metal, plastic
Adjustable: telescopic height, tilting shade
Bulb: E27
Marks: unmarked

Dimensions
Height retracted: 180 cm (70.9 in)
Height extended: approx. 210 cm (82.7 in)
Reach: 80 cm (31.5 in)