|
Davey Lighting
Founded by Arthur Christopher Davey in February, 1885, Davey & Co. London Ltd. swiftly became a major supplier of fittings for British ships sailing from the West India Docks in London.
Their designs had to be sturdy, durable, and--above all--functional. Even so, form could not be an afterthought--these were trading vessels from the (for better or worse) largest Imperial economy in the world at the time. The ships, and their various fittings, had to be strong and dignified in character.
As the British shipping industry began to wane, Davey & Co. saw an opportunity in the lighting fixtures they'd been making for decades and spun off a new company to handle production and sales of what were now explicitly designer lights for land-based applications. Their timeless, hardy maritime styling became a symbol of Britain's character and past, leading to use in luxury projects such as the Savoy hotel in London.
Given its industrial history, it should be no surprise that the names of the individual designers of Davey Lighting's various designs are no longer remembered. However, we can still honour them anonymously, and rejoice that their lighting designs survive, as Davey Lighting and its magnificent library of designs was bought by Original BTC in 2010, who have continued to uphold and cherish the history and dignity of this historic British brand.
Lights Designed by Davey Lighting
|
|
|
|