Industrial lighting is light fittings originally made for factories, warehouses, workshops, railways, ships, mines and public buildings, now widely reclaimed for use in homes, shops and restaurants. Designed for durability and practicality, these fittings are typically made of cast iron, steel, aluminium, brass and heavy glass.
Characteristic forms include enamelled steel factory pendants with deep reflector shades, holophane prismatic glass pendants, caged bulkhead lights, explosion-proof well-glass fittings, railway and ships' lamps, and adjustable workshop and machinist's lamps on articulated arms. British firms such as Benjamin Electric, Thorn and Holophane produced much of the lighting found in twentieth-century industrial buildings, while the Anglepoise lamp grew out of engineering principles applied to the task light. Original enamel finishes, maker's labels and intact glass all add interest, and surface wear is often welcomed as part of the character. Because most industrial lighting is old and was built for rough conditions, it should be professionally rewired, earthed and safety tested before installation. Hung in rows over kitchen islands or dining tables, these fittings offer a strong, functional look that sits well alongside both antique and modern furniture.
