Phase lamps (1960-1980)
The timeless legacy of Spanish industrial design.
When it comes to designer lampswe tend to look to Germany (Ingo Maurer), Denmark (Verner Panton), and Italy (Castiglioni y Joe Colombo). However, today we make an exception and stay at home. And it is curious that we do so, because Spain has not historically been a country with a strong presence on the international industrial design scene. But there is an exception, and that exception has a name: FASE.
PHASE was a Spanish company that, during the 60s and 70s, managed to take its lamps beyond our borders, something that few national brands achieved at that time. Its designs have stood the test of time with an elegance that continues to captivate lovers of vintage and industrial design.
The quality of his materials and his impeccable workmanship have ensured that his pieces not only survive, but continue to be highly valued by collectors and those looking for a special piece for their home or office.
The quality is outstanding, with top quality metals, chrome, woods and electrical parts, and the lighting company The eponymous model, for no one with a name and surname can take credit for it here, produced many examples, which has made it a very popular design and also a relatively easy product to find. Of course, the popularity of these pieces has grown so much that their prices have risen considerably in recent years, and getting one in good condition can be a considerable investment.
One of FASE's most iconic models is the lamp "Boomerang", which stands out for its curved wooden base and its articulated metal arm, which allows the light to be directed with great ease. This model is perhaps the most representative of Spanish industrial design of those years and has been the object of desire of many collectors around the world. Its elegant aesthetics and functionality have made it a timeless classic.
If you pay attention, you will see that FASE lamps have appeared in many films and TV series, something that does not usually happen with Spanish design objects. They can be seen in Don Draper's office at Mad Menin the series House and even in the office of Indiana Jones in one of his films. So the next time you see one on the screen, you can say with confidence and a certain pride: "That's a FASE lamp, an icon of Spanish design".
Despite its success and recognition, the FASE company eventually disappeared, leaving behind a design legacy that is still alive today thanks to the collectors' market and the appreciation of vintage. Although you can't buy a new FASE lamp, many of them are still circulating in second-hand shops and specialised platforms, waiting to be rediscovered by new admirers of quality industrial design.
In the Spanish design scene, where sun mirrors and other pieces of furniture also occupy a prominent place, FASE lamps have achieved something that few objects do: to be recognised and admired at an international level without the need for large marketing campaigns or the names of famous designers behind them.
It is, in short, a symbol of the well-made, of the durable, and of how good design can transcend decades without losing any of its appeal.
