Original 1227 Desk Lamp

George Carwardine, Anglepoise

Designed by the automotive engineer George Carwardine in 1935, the 1227 is the original Anglepoise: a desk lamp balanced by constant-tension springs, so the shade stays exactly where it is put. It has been in production, in evolving forms, for ninety years.

DesignerGeorge Carwardine (1935)
MakerAnglepoise, United Kingdom
MaterialsPainted steel; constant-tension spring mechanism
DimensionsShade 5.7 in diameter; max reach 35.8 in
FinishesJet Black, Linen White, Dove Grey, Bright Chrome, and brass editions

Editorial link to the maker's official site, opening in a new tab. Not a paid placement.

Why Estate & Design selected it

The Anglepoise belongs in an estate the way a good tool belongs in a workshop: it is honest engineering, beautifully resolved. Carwardine's spring mechanism was a genuine invention, and the lamp's silhouette has become shorthand for the well-lit desk. In a library or study, there is no better task light, and few with a better story.

Estate & Design is not a retailer. Details were verified against the maker or publisher at the time of publication; availability and pricing may change.