Illuminating Lampbases from the 1950s.

Lighting lounges, halls and bedrooms.

 

Black Panther

Welcome to my first blog post for 2023. My goal for the next two months is to write 2023 not 2022!

On the first of June 1960, Auckland had the first black and white television broadcast. It lasted all of three hours. Wellington and Christchurch went live in 1961, with Dunedin patiently waiting until July 1962. It wasn't until December 1975 that colour televisions were available to purchase. 

I grew up with a hefty black and white Philips television in our lounge. My Nana and Granddad had a Thorn. There were nobs for volume, channels and tuning for control of the static and rolling screen. Remembering back to the day before my birthday, in the August school holidays, the channel knob was finally clicked over to two. On the 1st September 1975, our family watched with excitement as TV2 South Pacific Television beamed into the lounge. Fourteen years later, on the 26th November 1989 New Zealand was introduced to TV3, the first independently owned channel.

Interested in television history in New Zealand? Here's a link to the NZ History television page.

Black Panther (reverse) 

The Black Panther was modelled by Cameron Brown Snr at Henderson in the early 1960s. It was an ingenious idea, as televisions began popping up in lounges across New Zealand. The best way to view the poor black and white imagery was with the lights switched off. Unlike standard lamps, the bulb was placed at the rear. No need for a lampshade. This innovation emitted a soft glow so as not to affect the television picture, but enough light to whip off to make a brew of tea during the advertisements. Or, to adjust the bunny ears for better reception. We had an outside aerial that perched on the chimney.

They came in high gloss black with a pale green glaze dribbling down the rocks near the panther's front paws. On the reverse you'll see the white glazed light bulb indent, with a hole for the wire connection. The Panther was originally designed for Paramount Trading. A small number were produced in white.

White Panther Lampbase

There are replicas of the panther made at Hobby Ceramics. Weight is the main thing to consider. The lighter the weight the more likely it’s a Hobby Ceramics model as the slip was left in the mould only briefly before being bisk fired. There's usually identifying initials or names scratched into the base. For more information about Hobby Ceramics, you can read Val Monk's blog on the subject.

Some of Titian Studio's lamps have green felt attached to the base so may in fact be hiding a product code. Codes used were PL, PV and KV followed by a dot and three digits. In this situation you're relying on recognising the shape or the glaze. Titian Studio lamps were very popular with wholesalers; and hotels, which also ordered them directly from the Browns. 

 

Marble Glazed

Another collector mentioned this marble glazed example which he'd spotted in a second-hand shop. He recognised the glaze but not the shape. This particular Titian Studio lamp has been attached to a weighted brass foot.  

 

 Green Stardust glazed Hubble Bubble

A variety of lampbases were designed by Cameron as per the wholesaler's specifications, and for a time it was their main income. For an item so popular and versatile I wonder why more don't pop up. They were made in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and glazes, with or without transfers. 

 

Photos courtesy of Nicky Bee and Dollcrown

Yellow Stardust Hubble Bubble / Red Stardust 

For more info and pictures of the Stardut glaze check out Gallery of Glazes - Stardust

  

Double Handle in Thatch / Aquamarine glaze

Webbs Auctions 179 - Manos Sourris Collection - Stylised Lady

On page 158 in Gail Henry's book, 'Pottery in New Zealand - Commercial & Collectable' second edition, a picture shows this particular vase sitting on the floor, at the Titian Takanini factory showroom. The photo shows off a range of Presley Ware products produced by the Browns and their staff.

 

Photo Courtesy of Sandra Stewart

Pink Lace

 

Aquila lamp with figure decoration / White lamp with yellow flower decal

Webbs Auctions 132 & 279 - Manos Sourris Collection

As mentioned earlier, the Browns dealt with a number of wholesalers and distributors whilst at Henderson and Takanini. Below is some information about those companies who purchased lamp bases.

Gaylite Studios, Auckland (1940s – 1962)

Kenneth and Barbara Treacher of 'Gaylite' purchased various items, including vases, from multiple manufacturers including Titain Studio and Crown Lynn, As well as importing items too. The vases were converted into lamp bases.

Click here for more information about Gaylite. 

Photo from Auckland Museum collection

Bovaria Ware sticker on a Apricot/Blue Marble glazed lampbase

Very little is known about Bovaria Ware other than a Dutch distributor requested lampbases in the marble glaze. There is mention of Bovaria Ware in Gail Henry's book, 'Pottery in New Zealand - Commercial & Collectable' second edition on page 155. I haven't found an invoice so sadly don't have any extra details about this person. Not even a name.

 

 

Little John Lighting, Auckland / Arnold & Wright Ltd (1941 - 1988)

Image courtesy of a private collector / The Press 15.10.1956 (Papers Past)

Unfortunately, I haven't found out much about Littlejohn Lighting, Auckland. There was a R.S. Littlejohn (1980) Ltd that manufactured lights in Henderson but have since closed down. I'm unsure if they're related though. The little red and silver sticker is attached to a Titian collector's lamp. In regards to Arnold & Wright Ltd, I found a statement issued to them but no invoices showing which items were purchased.

This blog post, like all my posts came together with a lot of help from other collectors. Without the assistance of others, I'd struggle to get the correct information, or a well recorded history. I've written these blog posts because I'm passionate about getting the correct information out there. But I do get things wrong! Please let me know kindly, and constructively when you see something that's not right, or you'd like some information included. You can email me at titianbook@gmail.com

Happy days and Happy New Year 2023,

Louise

Special thanks to Webbs for the use of their photographs from the Manos Sourris collection.

©Louise de Varga 2022 - Content and pictures in this blog