Rare Arthur Jacobs Model 1695 Table Lamp for Modeline of California — c. 1963
An outstanding and increasingly collectible example of California Mid-Century Modern lighting: the Model 1695 table lamp, designed by Arthur Jacobs for Modeline of California in the early 1960s.
The 1695 exemplifies the distinctly West Coast approach to modern lighting that made Modeline one of the most interesting American lighting manufacturers of the mid-century period. Rather than treating a lamp as simply a shade mounted on a conventional base, Jacobs approached lighting as sculpture and furniture. The Model 1695 combines a dramatically shaped solid wood body with polished brass accents, creating the warm, organic appearance for which Modeline became known.
DESIGNER: ARTHUR JACOBS
Arthur Jacobs was Modeline’s principal designer and was responsible for a large portion of the company’s mid-century catalog. His work helped establish Modeline’s characteristic vocabulary of sculptural wood forms, warm indirect illumination and controls incorporated into the architecture of the lamp itself.
Period documentation places the Model 1695 in 1963, at the height of California’s Mid-Century Modern movement.
MODELINE OF CALIFORNIA
Based in Los Angeles, Modeline Company of California became an important contributor to postwar California modern design. During the 1950s and 1960s, the company developed a particularly recognizable style built around sculpted wood, dramatic geometric and biomorphic forms, brass and metal details, and carefully controlled light.
Modeline was especially influential in popularizing wood as a primary material for modern American table and floor lamps during the 1960s. Period trade publications described Modeline’s creations as “lighted furniture” — an especially appropriate description of the Model 1695, whose sculptural wooden structure is as important to the design as the illumination itself.
Modeline was also closely connected with Southern California’s architecture, interior-design and entertainment industries. The company deliberately placed its lighting on television programs, including The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Leave It to Beaver and The Munsters, helping bring California modernism into American homes.
THE “MODELITER” / INTEGRATED SWITCH
One of Modeline’s particularly clever design signatures was the integration of the lamp switch (Modeliter) into the design rather than treating it as an obvious piece of electrical hardware.
The Model 1695 incorporates this concept through its distinctive stem-mounted two-way switch, sometimes referred to by collectors in connection with Modeline’s “Modeliter” concept. It allows the user to operate the lamp from the sculptural central structure itself. This seemingly small detail is an excellent example of Modeline’s philosophy: even a functional control could become part of the visual composition.
MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION
• Sculptural solid wood body — documented examples of the Model 1695 are identified as Korina wood, with other period examples described as walnut
• Polished brass hardware and accents
• Integrated stem-mounted two-way switch
• Mid-Century Modern sculptural construction
• Designed in California
• Manufactured in the United States
• Arthur Jacobs design for Modeline of California
• Model 1695
• Circa 1963
The combination of warm natural wood and brass is quintessential early-1960s California Modern and allows the lamp to work equally well with Danish Modern, Scandinavian Modern, Atomic, Hollywood Regency and contemporary interiors.
A SIGNIFICANT CALIFORNIA MCM DESIGN
Modeline lighting has received increasing attention from collectors because the company’s work occupies an interesting intersection between California modern architecture, furniture design and decorative lighting. Jacobs’ designs in particular demonstrate how a utilitarian household object could become a piece of functional sculpture.
The Model 1695 is a particularly attractive example: restrained enough for everyday use but unmistakably sculptural, with the vertical wood form, brass details and integrated control giving it a presence far beyond that of an ordinary table lamp.
An excellent opportunity for a collector of Arthur Jacobs, Modeline of California, California Modern, Danish Modern, Atomic-era or 1950s/1960s American design.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and provide the best representation of the lamp’s condition, finish, shade and components. Vintage lighting should always be inspected by a qualified electrician before extended use.
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