Scissor Lamp

A shop-built scissors mechanism and some wood bending are the heart and soul of this lamp project.

The origin of the scissor lamp can be traced back to the German art school known as Staatliches Bauhaus in the early 19th century. Founded by architect Walter Gropius in 1919, this avant-garde school was created to reunite the division of fine art and functionality, and to prioritize the elements of design. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement, Bauhaus took various aspects of artistic and design pedagogy and broke down the hierarchy of the arts by developing a diverse curriculum that emphasized the inextricable link between “fine” art and “applied” art. So, it’s these principles I embrace and apply in this project you see here — a marriage of materials — combining aesthetics with everyday function. Offering 3-way adjustability, this lamp will complement any space where extra light is needed. Stainless steel, a modest amount of wood, and some simple hardware are all it takes to get started. You will find that most pieces are “like parts” accompanied with templates, which provide for a quick and easy setup. The wishbone-shaped shade frame is accomplished in a two-part bending process involving some combustion. And if the wiring has you strained, fear not, the cord set comes preassembled.

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What You Get:

  • 8 pages of step-by-step instructions
  • 27 full-color photos, illustrations, and exploded views
  • Materials List & Project Supplies Sources

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