Memphis-style table lamp model 1501 by Markslöjd Kinna, Sweden, 1980s

A graphic table lamp in the bold spirit of 1980s Memphis design. This is model 1501 by Markslöjd Kinna AB, made of wood and painted mostly black, with bright red central column sections that make a sharp contrast. Two slender black wooden uprights bend outward at the top and bottom, and the black base is turned from wood. A glossy black plastic conical shade, edged with a red ribbon, finishes the look. The shade is the original one. The lamp is in very good condition. The wood is sound, with no major chips or cracks. There is slight paint loss, mainly on the base, in keeping with the lamp’s age. The shade has a few scuff marks and a single heat mark that is only visible in direct light. The fabric details on the plastic shade have lost some of their sharpness, especially the red ribbon around the lower edge. The original Markslöjd Kinna label is still attached. It has been completely rewired with new cable, socket and switch. The lamp takes an E27 (LED) bulb. Markslöjd was founded in 1963 around the small town of Skene in Mark, in the Swedish countryside between Varberg and Borås. The name combines 'Mark', the area where the company sits, with 'slöjd', the Swedish word for handicraft. In the early years it was a small business making wooden crafts and lighting, with turned wooden lamp bases and textile shades at the heart of the range. Lighting gradually took over completely, and the company grew into one of Northern Europe’s leading lighting brands. Its operation is still in Skene, close to Kinna, which is why vintage pieces are often marked 'Markslöjd Kinna'. More than sixty years on, the company still makes lamps and is known for its Scandinavian design. This lamp shows a livelier side of the brand. The wooden construction reflects the company’s craft roots, but the black and red palette and strict geometry reflect the playful, colourful design of the 1980s.