Vintage Anglepoise Model 1227 Desk Lamp by Herbert Terry & Sons

An iconic piece of British industrial design, this vintage Anglepoise Model 1227 desk lamp was designed by automotive engineer George Carwardine and manufactured in England by Herbert Terry & Sons of Redditch.

Carwardine developed his ingenious constant-tension spring mechanism in the early 1930s, allowing the lamp to be repositioned with remarkable freedom while remaining balanced in place. Herbert Terry & Sons subsequently manufactured the design, with the three-spring Model 1227 introduced in 1935. It has since become one of Britain's most recognisable pieces of twentieth-century lighting design.

This example is finished in classic black and retains the wonderfully utilitarian character associated with early Anglepoise lighting. The articulated square-section arms are balanced by the distinctive three-spring mechanism, allowing both the position and direction of the light to be adjusted. A broad black metal shade with a contrasting silver-toned interior completes the unmistakable silhouette.

The two-tier rectangular base and cast Herbert Terry & Sons fork identify it as the later form of the Model 1227, introduced around 1938. 

The black painted finish displays attractive age-related wear, particularly around the base, arms and working components, giving the lamp the authentic character that makes original Anglepoise examples so appealing.