Iconic "MaOF" Desk Lamp, Space Age Design, Circa 1970

Name: Iconic "MaOF" Desk Lamp, Space Age Design, Circa 1970
Brand: AUTRE
SKU: LAM-MFA-1048
Price: 1700.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

SKU:LAM-MFA-1048

€1.700,00

Sale Reserved

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Design should not only be functional; it must carry a silent theatricality.

An absolute icon of post-war Space Age design in an exceptional state of preservation.

A magnetic silhouette

Designed at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, this desk lamp stands as one of the most powerful testaments to European Space Age and modernist aesthetics. Its silhouette, fluid and aerodynamic, evokes the space race and the streamlined lines characteristic of this pivotal era in industrial design.

The piece is structured around a masterful visual tension: a base and circular reflector in textured anthracite lacquered metal, connected by a bold, arched, solid chrome-plated steel arm. The original sandblasted blown-glass lower diffuser features a translucent finish, enveloping the light to provide a soft, warm, and glare-free glow.

Thanks to its ingenious and perfectly fluid ball-joint system, the reflector pivots 360°, allowing the light flux to be directed with surgical precision. It is a thoughtful, constructed, and sculptural design that transcends its mere utilitarian function to become a true aesthetic presence in any interior.

For the top-tier collector, this piece highlights a major historical nuance often overlooked by the market:

Although its lines faithfully mirror the codes of the famous productions from the Madrid firm FASE (founded by Pedro Martín), this example proudly bears its original "MaOf" sticker on the front of its base. This is a rare and highly sought-after historical variant.

During the golden age of modernist lighting, the prestigious FASE house secured its market entry into Northern Europe, and specifically West Germany (FRG), through exclusive distribution agreements. The lamps, manufactured in Madrid according to the brand's standards of excellence (fine materials, mirror-chrome finishes, blown glass), were thus badged and marketed under the German label MaOf. Sourced directly from a private Spanish collection, this example bears witness to these precious and complex design publishing networks, having remained in or returned to its place of origin.

The Logo Enigma

Graphic Symbolism in the Age of Space Exploration

While the exact origin of the "MaOf" acronym remains one of the best-kept secrets of the history of post-war West German distributors—likely oscillating between the names of the founders and its commercial cradle—the brand's visual identity offers a fascinating key to interpretation.

Viewed up close, the original monogram visible on the lamp base is a textbook case of modernist graphic design. The letters M, a, O, and f are intertwined within two perfect circles. In an era fueled by the obsession with the first steps on the Moon and a fascination with the cosmos, this logo is reminiscent of two orbiting planets or the alignment of distant stars. Yet, in the privacy of the workshop, one can also discern a more pragmatic and ingenious mise en abyme of the object itself: the stylized silhouette, seen from above, of two circular reflectors projecting their light. A strong aesthetic signature that proves that in Germany as in Spain, every millimeter of this luminaire was designed to embody the absolute avant-garde of its time.

State of Preservation: An "Archive Quality" Condition

This piece has undergone a rigorous conservation and cleaning process:

• Original Integrity: The mirror chrome is impeccable, free of pitting or structural alterations. The ball-joint swivel system has retained all of its original fluidity.

• The Blown Glass: A critical element (often broken and replaced with plexiglass in the current market), the sandblasted blown-glass diffuser here is 100% original and completely intact.

• Period Velvet: A testament to the attention to detail typical of the brand's high-end productions, the underside of the base retains its original, perfectly preserved black anti-scratch velvet.

• Invisible Restoration: The lamp was completely disassembled, meticulously cleaned, and reassembled. All traces of glue and office tape accumulated over more than 50 years have been permanently removed, revealing a textured anthracite lacquer of spectacular freshness, barely patinated by subtle, infinitesimal signs of use.

The POPINCOURT Gallery's Verdict

Exceptional objects do not just illuminate a room; they tell the story of the era that saw them born.
What immediately seduced us about this MaOf version is its insolent physical presence. Finding such a 70s luminaire is one thing, but getting one's hands on an example in this "archive state" is another. It is a true aesthetic knockout. The chrome arm catches the light of the room while the matte black lacquer gives it an almost architectural gravity.
It is no coincidence that film industry art directors have established this silhouette as the ultimate symbol of power and style. It can be seen as much on the desks of New York ad men in "Mad Men" as in the iconic universe of Indiana Jones (notably in "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"). It is the perfect embodiment of a cult object: historical, ready-to-use, and endowed with a wild modernity that dialogues instantly with post-war abstract art.

Information

Manufacturer: MaOf / FASE (Madrid, Spain)

Provenance: Spain, private collection

Period: Circa 1970 (Space Age Era)

Dimensions: Height: 42 cm (16.5 in) | Reflector Diameter: 30 cm (11.8 in)

Weight: 6 kg

Materials: Textured anthracite lacquered steel base and reflector, chrome-plated steel articulated arm, original sandblasted blown-glass diffuser (translucent finish).

Electricity: Original system fully serviced. Replacement of filament bulbs with two sockets adapted for E14 LED bulbs (2 x 6 Watts), combining safety, durability, and eco-responsibility.

State of preservation: Exceptional archival condition (Museum Quality)

Shipping Contents

Matte black MaOf desk lamp

Certificate of Authenticity

The POPINCOURT Gallery's Commitment

The ambiance visuals are creations, carefully designed by GALERIE POPINCOURT to help you envision the object in a particular setting.

Color Rendition: While we capture the true essence of each piece, nuances may vary slightly depending on the scene's lighting and your screen settings.

Accessories & Decoration: Furniture elements, textiles, or decorative objects surrounding the product (vases, books, side tables, etc.) are presentation suggestions. Only the item described in the title and the ad's text is offered for sale.

COA procedures

DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

A certificate of authenticity accompanies your purchase. No action is required on your part:

Your document in PDF format will be automatically sent to you by email within a maximum of 15 business days, once the delivery of your order has been confirmed by the carrier.
This secure digital format ensures the optimal preservation of your collectible documents.

Note

Lifestyle visuals are creative works, carefully designed by GALERIE POPINCOURT to help you visualize the object in a setting.

Color rendering: Although we capture the true essence of each piece, shades may vary slightly depending on the lighting of the scene and your screen settings.

Accessories & Decoration: The furniture, textiles, or decorative items surrounding the product (vases, books, accent furniture, etc.) are presentation suggestions. Only the object described in the title and the text of the listing is offered for sale.