Jielde Iconic French Industrial Lighting.
A Jielde lamp is a true classic of lighting design. The design of the Jielde lamp was started in the late 1940s by a French mechanical designer called Jean-Louis Domecq. The idea for the Jielde lamp was born from his frustration regarding the lack of highly adaptable and flexible lighting that he needed for his work. The Jielde lamp design was perfected and launched in the early 1950s. The new Jielde lamp was instantly different from all other types of mechanical lighting on the market, the lamp was launched with a highly stable, simple and very adaptable design which provided a user with a stable and flexible articulated lighting source.
The design of the new lamp provided a unique and unusual design with rounded joints and concentric arms that allow the light to be focussed from very low near the base up to full height, all of this is was made possible by the use of a heavy base or clamp and the vertical stacking and concentric jointing of the arms. The Jielde lamp became a great success in industrial settings with the lamp becoming a favourite with draftspeople, architects, & machinists. The Jielde lamp was found in many drawing offices and factories soon after its launch.
Not only was the Jielde an efficient and highly practical piece of lighting but it was also a new design with a new modernist look that appealed to the general public. The Jielde range continued in manufacture through the decades. Second hand and refurbished Jielde lamps are always popular on the pre-loved market with refurbished early lamps selling for several hundred pounds.
An example of an early Jielde Desk Lamp.
A modern Jielde desk lamp.
In 2003 Jielde launched “The Signal range” smaller versions of the original early lamps. All new Jielde lamps are hand-assembled and many are made on the original manufacturing machinery from the early days of the Jielde story. The signal range is available in a range of modern colours and finishes which adds even more desirability to a classic lighting design. Jielde lamps are not cheap but are an Iconic design, in this post, I am going to show you a modern Jielde Signal lamp and show you what you get for your money. The lamp I am showing you here is a Jielde Signal finished in a colour called light Blue, it is a two 30 Cm arm version and is made to sit on a desk or table.
A modern Jielde Signal Desk Lamp in Light Blue.
First Impressions.
Looking at the lamp you are instantly hit by something unique, the Jielde style has been copied and mimicked over the years but a real Jielde has a great look that speaks of a design that is just perfect. Picking up the lamp you are hit by the weight, with the design being so flexible & adjustable the lamp must be stable, under the pressed metal base cover sits a well-engineered and good quality cast iron base that is fitted with a felt protective cover. This heavy base gives the foundation for the flexibility and safe use of the lamp.
The Finish.
This lamp has a deep baked painted finish, the surface is shiny but provides good grip and feels as it will easily withstand knocks and will not chip or scratch easily.
Flexibility & Adjustment.
The lamp arms have a rotation adjustment at the base. The two 30 Cm arms are adjusted via the two Iconic Jielde ball friction joints, these joints move smoothly with a little effort and allow a wide range of adjustment, at first glance you may think that the base will move during adjustment but the heavy base keeps the lamp dead still during adjustment. The Shade has a built-in metal grip for adjusting grip, this grip can also be used when using the shades friction swivel adjustment. The three major adjustment joints on the lamp can be easily tweaked via the small black baked painted contrasting nuts found at the joints.
Wiring and fittings.
The lamp is double insulated, it has a good length of black wiring with operation via a small quality chromed toggle switch which is mounted on the base and has a chromed knurled cover. The lamp fitting is ceramic with a screw fitting. Due to the small size of the shade, the lamp needs to be used with a small “golf ball” shaped lamp.
Build Quality.
The Jielde lamp is a quality item. The finish is faultless. All joints and fixtures are beautifully made & finished and the lamp reflects the fact that it is handmade and built with care and attention. Each lamp is individually numbered and carries its unique serial number stamped on the Jielde logo alloy badge.
Conclusion – Is the Jielde worth the price tag?
At the time of writing the Jielde lamp has an average price of £225 so it is placed on the lighting market as a premium product. As a piece of lighting the Jielde signal works beautifully, it works without fault and has a solid adjustable feel that feels engineered in both design and manufacture. If you buy a Jielde lamp you are not only buying a premium desk lamp but you are also purchasing a piece of lighting history with some of the price paying for the Jielde name and fantastic Jielde design. A Jielde will last a lifetime so I believe the price tag is justified.
You can read my review of another Classic desk lamp by Artemide HERE.
If you have any questions on this review or have anything to add I would love to hear from you. If you own a new or vintage Jielde and would like to send me an image I would be happy to include them on this page.
Thank you.
michael@hertfordshire-lighting.com