Karl Wiedmann Table Lamp for WMF Ikora, Sphere Base with Internal Lighting, 1950s

Glowing table lamp made of WMF Ikora crystal, designed by Karl Wiedmann and executed in the 1950s at the Geislingen glassworks. The spherical base made of multi-layered flashed glass with an interlayer decor measures 35 cm in diameter; with a conical fabric shade, the total height is 36 cm. Deep ruby tone, permeated by a fine amber-yellow network of veins with fused-in bubbles – the unmistakable multi-layered decor that Wiedmann made his signature from 1927 onwards. In daylight, the spherical base appears calm and rich, almost black-red. As soon as the light inside is switched on, the glass opens up: warm orange floods through the network, the bubbles sparkle like small nests of light between the layers.

The special feature of this piece lies in its fully preserved original configuration. The bakelite switch bears the embossed WMF-Ikora factory logo and has four settings – Off, Shade, Base, both together. A double E27 socket powers the lamp base and fabric shade separately, allowing the piece to be used in various ways, from subtle reading light to a full theatrical display. Chromed socket, shade ring and lower glass collar, textile-braided connection cable, conical fabric shade with gold braid trim on the top and bottom edges – all factory-original configuration, rarely found to this extent in comparable Ikora lamps today.

Karl Wiedmann (1905–1992) took over the management of the WMF glassworks in 1925 and developed two of the most important German art glass techniques of the 20th century there: the iridescent Myra crystal in 1926 and the multi-layered Ikora crystal a year later. By 1940, he had developed around 5,000 color recipes, thirty of which WMF patented. Glass production in Geislingen was finally discontinued in 1954 – pieces from the 1950s thus mark the last production window and are significantly rarer than the well-known pre-war works.

Collector's item for a salon, library, bedroom or display cabinet. A sculptural Mid-Century statement when switched off, a theatrical light object as soon as the bakelite switch is turned on. Fully functional, technically checked, very good vintage condition with fully preserved original configuration.