Gemma Bernal and Ramón Isern

GEMMA BERNAL (1949) and RAMÓN ISERN (1942) for Tramo.
Table lamp "Arquímedes".
Wood and black lacquered metal.
In good condition, with slight marks of use.
Measurements: 60 x 20 x 20 cm.
The table lamp Arquímedes, designed in 1974 by Gemma Bernal and Ramón Isern from Barcelona and published by Tramo, is one of the most singular examples of Spanish design in the seventies. Conceived as part of an innovative system of luminaires, the piece synthesizes constructive rationality, functional versatility and a formal purity that has made it an icon.
In its table version, a square-conical lampshade in lacquered metal, in black or white, depending on the edition (in this case in black), is articulated by means of an adjustable tilting arm anchored to a circular base. Both the arm and the base, made of wood, introduce a note of warmth that balances the geometric precision of the metal. This dialogue between materials reflects the modern sensibility of the time, attentive to both technology and the domestic dimension of the object.
One of the most unique features of the design is the small wooden element at the top of the lamp holder, next to the switch, which allows the shade to be oriented in multiple positions. This ingenious articulation system gives the lamp remarkable flexibility, adapting the light beam to different needs without altering the purity of its silhouette.
It is no coincidence that this design has been part, since July 2019, of the collection of the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona, a recognition that underlines its relevance within the history of Spanish industrial design.