Largest size Philips NWS 66 orange cubic cube design 2024 graphic wall light sconce lamp mirror head metal 1970 Dutch design mid century modern

In this listing we are pleased to offer a cubic vintage metal wall sconce by Philips of the Netherlands.

Please note that this lamp has been repainted by the previous owner but almost identical in color to the original orange Philips used for these lamps, albeit slightly more glossy.

The lamp on offer here was originally orange as well which we can deduct from the color number on the sticker label (32 was for orange).

This is the model NWS 66 and has become a true Philips 1970s design classic. The NWS 66's were part of series made in three sizes (the other numbered NSW 65 and NSW 67) and the great 1970s colors orange, brown, yellow, green and white.

The original coating on all of these has always been a matte color, so not glossy.

The one on offer here is the largest size.

In our other listing (IF NOT SOLD) we are selling in the same colors from the same series:
2 medium sized, also repainted
1 smallest size, new old stock in the original box and not repainted

These sconces are noted for their cubic design with the black plastic push button also being cubic in shape. Moreover they were designed to be used with mirror head bulbs, which were the fashion in the 1970s and provided great graphic light effect as these lamps perfectly demonstrate.

They are made of fairly heavy sheet metal, possibly steel. They are very well built with an ingenious wall fixture and porcelain bulb holders with copper inserts.

A factory made circular cut out at the bottom side guides the lamp cord out.

To fix this lamp to your wall it needs to be unscrewed from the front side - 2 screws next to the bulb holder. This releases the white plastic insert on the backside and gives acces to the round metal disc on the inside. This round disc has to be screwed to your wall over the white plastic insert that you first hold against the wall. Then place the lamp back over the insert that is now against your wall and put back the 2 screws next to the bulb holder.

The lamp on offer here still has the original sticker label on the inside although it has been sprayed over a bit.

The lamp takes 1 E27 light bulb with screw type fitting.

As stated it is most beautiful with a mirror head bulb although any type of bulb can be used. Mirror head bulbs also exist in LED versions these days and both in silver and gold.

We fully rewired the lamp with a new white lamp cord of 181 centimetres / 71.26 inches and 2-pin flat European plugs.

As stated it is operated through the square push button on the lamp.

Of course it is also possible to remove the wiring and place the lamp blindly over a wall entry point in your home (where the wires are sticking out of your wall) so no wiring will be visible.

The lamp was designed for a 220/230 volts network but with adjustments can of course be used anywhere in the world.

About Philips
Philips of the Netherlands was originally a light bulb manufacturer that started selling lamps to help sell its light bulbs. They company was also an active reseller of lamps from other well-known manufacturers from various countries. The company made many of the lamps itself but parts, most notably glass, were also sourced outside.

Most important person in Philips lighting design in the mid century period was Louis Kalff (1897 - 1976). He was a graphic designer and architect and was responsible for Philips's advertising and image in the second half of the 1920s. It included anything from the famous Philips logo, the poster and packaging design. His artistic yet commercial work helped to establish Philips as a global brand. As of 1929 he got involved in the project lighting design of several Philips expositions all over the world and oversaw the aesthetic aspects of many Philips products, from lamps to TV's. Of only a handful of lamps Philips made it is known that the design was largely by Louis Kalff himself. Of all the (thousands of) others it is mere speculation to attribute these even partly to Louis Kalff. His role in their design will not have gone beyond that of final approval. As his last official working day at Philips was 31 December 1959, all lamps that were designed after were certainly not by Louis Kalff.

Measurements:
Height & width & depth: 15 x 15 x 15 cm / 5.91 x 5.91 x 5.91 inches
Diameter of the front side opening: 7.3 cm / 2.87 inches
Diameter of the back side opening: 9 cm / 3.54 inches

Weight: 1311 grams.


Condition:
Overall good condition.

The lamp is damage free: no dents, deformation or (colored) staining anywhere.

First and foremost and as stated in the introduction: this lamp has been repainted/sprayed by the previous owner.

This was fairly well done with minor imperfections in the coating as can be expected when it is done at home. The paint is a bit more glossy than the original orange paint coat Philips applied but the color is true to the original. Please refer to the attached pictures with the lamps next to a new old stock orange version of this model.

Below the new paint coat there are still traces visible from the wear the original paint sustained like deep running scratch lines and chipping (these are darker colored patches below the paint coat).

There is one triangular shaped patch just below the circle cut in the front sheet that sticks in the imperfections.

Over time the new paint coat also sustained some traces such as small chipping at the rims. The paint chips can almost exclusively be found at the rims. One chip at the rim of the round cut out is visible from the front side as well as one 4 millimeters / 0.16 inches chip at the right hand side rim. Other chipping is less visible in daily use.

The inside of this lamp is in very good condition with only a few pen point size dots here and there.

The push buttons on these lamps can sometimes be difficult to operate which is caused by the brown shape disc on the inside of the lamp. Therefore the buttons sometimes need to be 2024 wiggled a bit.

The bulb holder has minor age wear but it is undamaged and perfectly safe to use.

As stated the lamp cord and plug are new replacements.

Please refer to the pictures to get the best impression.

We have many more pictures available of this item. Do not hesitate to ask for them in case of doubt.