Tablelamp 'Ara', designed by Philippe Starck, made by Flos Spa, Bresica, Italy, 1988

Table lamp of chromium plated steel. The base is circular and slightly domed; the stem a tapered tube rising from the centre at an angle with the lamp on top. The head is in the form of a tusk. The angle is adjustable and its position determines whether it is on or off. Around the rim of the horn is a recessed channel with an underlying mesh covering to disperse the heat from the lamp. The bulb is a 35 watt diachronic, halogen lamp powered by a 12 volt transformer incorporated in the base and is shielded by a convex glass lens, partially frosted and with a tiny blue nipple at the centre which clips inside the inner circumference of the rim.

This lamp was recomended for acquisition by the Core Committeefor the Twentieth Century Gallery Project, 1992.

Philippe Starck (b.1949) has emerged as one of the stars of architecture and design in the latter part of the 20th century. He juxtaposes unexpected shapes and materials to create an individual style which is instantly recognizable, whether the object involved is a toothbrush, a lemon squeezer, a chair, a yacht or as in this case a lamp. This lamp provides a novel solution to the switching mechanism; the halogen bulb is switched on by moving the head.

M.16-1993