Important Arts and Crafts Birmingham Guild of Handicraft Table Lamp with WAS Benson switch.  
 
An important and rare large size arts and crafts table lamp by the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft designed by Arthur Stansfeld Dixon c1905, with integrated WAS Benson patented switch.
 
Beautifully, skillfully and technically executed utilising Dixon's architectural beliefs, the tripod structure embodies pure Arts and Crafts design for the advent of modern electric lighting within the home.
 
The lamp body is very finely cast from brass and the shade beautifully contrasted from hand planished copper together with original vaseline glass cylindrical liner.  The design also cleverly utilises WAS Benson's pillbox electric switch within its base structure.
 
Ref: Illustrated in the Victoria and Albert Museum Birmingham Guild of Handicraft Electric Fittings catalogue as lamp number 79, the table lamp is unique with original vaseline glass liner which is remarkable in that it has remained intact and complete with the lamp.
 
The lamp is an important find of Arts and Crafts metalwork with its design and provenance. 
 
Provenance:  From Madresfield Court country house in Malvern Worcestershire.
 
Size: 58.5 cm high x 36.5 cm shade diameter.
 
Condition: In superb original condition retaining its original patina and is in full working order ready to install.
 
Date: Circa 1905.