The form of the lampshade was inspired by the life and work of Eileen Gray – architect and furniture designer – underappreciated in her lifetime but today heralded as the first lady of modernist design and the icon of Bauhaus. Contrary to her contemporaries such as Le Corbusier, Gray thought “a house is not a machine to live in. It is the shell of man, his extension, his release, his spiritual emanation”. In the designs created by Eileen Gray one can clearly see views polemic to the decidedly masculine, hard line of the male stars of art and architecture of her times. It is her furniture in particular which introduced feminine tones into the severe modernist style. One of her designs, the so-called BIBENDUM CHAIR became our inspiration in creating a lampshade for our new line of lamps, hence the symbolic name BIBE. Glass Pendant Light Bibe was designed in the shape of three joint ‘tyres’ revoking the shape of the unforgettable Bibendum chair which was our inspiration. The form of the Bibe Lamp is simple and geometric, but at the same time soft and feminine. The choice of the white opaque glass is not accidental – it means that the shape seems even more sublime and sophisticated. The milky lampshade is topped by a simple brass cover lending soft golden tones to the whole lamp. The glass shade is fixed in the traditional way using specially designed screws. The lamp is suspended from a flex covered by a soft linen braiding.

Glass Pendant Light Bibe was designed in the Embassy studio and is hand-made with great attention to detail. The lampshade is produced using a traditional method of blowing glass into a mould, using three layers of molten glass. The glass formed in this way has charm which is not available in mass-produced objects. The small imperfections visible in the layers of glass give a special and unusual character to the lamplight. The Series of Lamps Bibe was created thinking about sophisticated interiors in which ‘less means more’. The feminine geometry of form will provide a point of interest both during daytime as in the evening. The opal glass of the lampshade will softly diffuse light, and depending on the strength and colouring of the used lightbulb, create an atmospheric honeyed hue or delicate white glow to provide excellent daylight illumination.

The artistic soul of Pendant Lamp Bibe enjoys space. When placed in the centre of a room , e.g. above the table, it will provide a large dose of functional beautifully diffused light and also become on object of admiration or a talking point. The lamp will also perform well as an additional source of lighting in the living room or entrance hall, and when suspended lower, above a shelf or a sideboard, will create an unusual composition.

View the whole ⇒Bibe collection.

The Glass Pendant Light Bibe – created thinking of those who value individual character, quality of craftsmanship, and above all things with their own history. Bibe will tell you the story of an unusual woman and the grande dame of modernism – Eileen Gray.