Danish Ceiling Lamp by Bent Karlby for Lyfa, 1950s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Rare ceiling lamp designed by Bent Karlby. Produced by Lyfa in Denmark.

* The cable of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise.

Creator	Bent Karlby
Design Period	1950 to 1959
Year
Production Period	1950 to 1959
Identifying Marks	This piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other literature sources
Style	Scandinavian Modern
Detailed Condition	Good — This vintage item remains fully functional, but it shows sign of age through scuffs, dings, faded finishes, minimal upholstery defects, or visible repairs.
	The vendor has confirmed this piece is in working order.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use
Plug Type	European Plug (up to 250V)
Product Code	SC-740306
Materials	Brass, Glass, Opaline Glass
Color	Multicolored
Width	26 cm 10.2 inch
Depth	26 cm 10.2 inch
Height	48 cm 18.9 inch
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Sweden
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.
Returns	Returns accepted within 14 days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Delivery Details

Delivery will be completed by a parcel service such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx.
You will receive a tracking number to monitor the status of your shipment.
Delivery will take place between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine the packaging upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damaged packaging, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note, take pictures, and—if the item inside shows damages—contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations regarding damaged packaging represents your acceptance of the completed order in perfect condition.

About the Creator

Bent Karlby

Danish architect-designer Bent Karlby was born in Århus in 1912 and graduated from his hometown’s technical school around 1932. During World War II, he joined the Danish resistance movement, contributing to the illegal Danish Journal and assisting Dansk-Svensk refugees. In 1943, he fled to Sweden and opened a design studio the following year. In the early postwar years, he traveled England, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the US. It is presumed that he moved back to Denmark in the 1950s.

Although it’s known that Karlby designed homes, wallpaper, and accessories, few of his creations survive beyond the wealth of lighting fixtures he developed for Lyfa. Standouts from this fruitful collaboration in the 1960s include the China Pendant, Kvadrille Wall Light, Omega Pendant, Pan-Opticon Wall Light, Påfugl/Peacock Wall Light, and Wonderlamp Pendant. Most of Karlby’s lighting designs for Lyfa possess a “Space Age” aesthetic expressed in metal, acrylic, or glass.

Karlby passed away in 1998.