The Iconic Movie Light Company That Started It All.

1896 was the founding year of the Kliegl Brothers Universal Electric Stage Lighting Company with the intent to design and build electric light fixtures for studio and stage. With competition primarily featuring antiquated gas lamps, the brothers quickly gained notoriety and success to become one North America’s most prolific manufacturers of studio lighting.

This particular unit originated in the 40’s and 50’s and has been stripped to bare metal and refinished in an antique bronze patina. It includes a flawless 6 inch Pyrex lens, the ability to adjust the beam from flood to spot intensity and has been converted to a regular household bulb and ceramic socket. It is perched on a collapsible Mole Richardson wheeled stand that extends the lamp upwards from 5 to 9 feet and comes replete with a generous length of electrical cord.

Very cool piece of illumination for artwork and architectural features or just to use as the ultimate reading light - $650.

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And now for something completely different…

… for fans of the 50’s, a fan of the fifty’s… newly repurposed and now converted to a unique, one-of-a-kind floor lamp. This Sea-breeze model 5121 articulated floor fan was originally manufactured right here in Toronto, way back when. It has been dismantled, cleaned, waxed and its interior has been reconfigured to accommodate its conversion to a 5 chandelier bulb light fixture. Turns off and on via a click switch and comes replete with a generous length of cord.

It is 13.5” in width, 9” front to back, stands 4ft. and extends to 6. It has a 14sq.” footprint. For 70 years old it has a great glossy patina thanks to a fresh carnauba waxing. Can’t get much more attractive than this… yours for a mere pittance of $425.

If you like “different”, I try not to disappoint. You can check out the many other light fixtures and chandeliers I’ve design/built by an arranged visit to my humble Corktown studio literally a minute’s walk above Toronto’s famous Distillery District.

Note: No, the lights don’t revolve :)

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Hope you don’t like It.

Rarest and Coolest Looking of Movie Spotlights.

This sweet Bantam Super Spot is by far one of the coolest and hardest to find of its kind especially with the optional extension at the back. Comprised of mild steel and aluminum, it was fabricated in the late 30’s and was primarily used as a theatre light.

Generally seated on a very short metal base, I have mounted this particular unit on an original, wheeled, collapsible, extendable (to 9ft) 1950’s period Mole Richardson light stand stenciled with “TDF Studios” - a prominent commercial art and film studio during Toronto’s 60’s and 70’s mad men era. The lamp illuminates a standard, clear 60w bulb turning off and on via a new click switch.

Although not native to the fixture, I have mounted a circular grill to the front as it handsomely compliments the wire cage located on its top which, when opened, provides access to the bulb inside. It also features a push/pull lever at the rear which allows adjustment from spot to floodlight intensity.

To be honest, I don’t mind if I don’t sell this one as it’s well worth keeping.

If you like it as much as I do, it’s yours for $950.

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Abandoned Over A Century Ago.

Households and businesses in the late 1800’s were primarily illuminated by the visual warmth and radiance of lamps of oil and gas - a tradition soon extinguished by the advent of the electric bulb.

Fresh off my workbench, this reimagined chandelier is entirely comprised of repurposed, ornate brass elements retrieved from a 1892 table-style oil lamp, an equally opulent hanging variation of similar vintage with a translucent, milk glass dome and trimmed with 30 lengths of hand-strung crystals - an authentic tribute to that long lost era of craftsmanship, elegance and purpose.

This fixture is a ceiling mount and hangs at a length of 36 inches from canopy to its furthest crystal with a width of 20 inches. It is lit by a single, larger, circular frosted 60 watt incandescent bulb housed in a dimmable socket to control it’s intensity but will accommodate any type of bulb of similar wattage.

Each component of this chandelier has been meticulously refurbished, polished to a gloss then reassembled to become, like all the fixtures I design/build, a unique and original one-of-a-kind. Priced at $3000.

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Eye-catching Industrial Style Medical Light - Ideal for Smaller Spaces

Classic medical floor lamp from 50’s made by Wilmot Castle Manufacturing of Rochester, USA. Fully adjustable and in very good condition - unique statement piece for residence, loft or office - makes an excellent reading light. Features 4 wheeled stand and operates via flick switch. Reflector measures at 12.5” in diameter and the height, when adjusted, is approximately 5 feet, 5 inches - takes any standard style bulb up to 100 watts. It is the ideal size for smaller condos or more confined spaces. Others on-line are charging hundreds more - this one only $350.

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40 Years Hidden in a Cardboard Box

1940’s-50’s Bardwell McAlister “Keg-type” movie/stage light, in near brand new condition - spent 40 years in a cardboard box in a grandmother’s basement. The light comes replete in original paint with same period, height adjustable, heavy metal stand, off/on click switch, barn doors (shutters) and has been converted to a modern household bulb and socket. Will take any style modern bulb up to 100 watts. Fully functional fixture rotates from side to side, up and down and features a lever that adjusts its beam to flood or spot intensity. Rare light let alone being found in such pristine condition… $850.

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52 Years Old and Never Turned On!

Brand spanking new - so new it has never been plugged in let alone turned on.

In 1967, during the Cold War, the federal government commissioned a Canadian manufacturer to fabricate a quantity of medical field hospital lights on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces. Beautifully made, light, articulated and simplistically functional, these lamps were easily transported, assembled and utilized.
This particular unit, although manufactured in 1967, is fresh out of the box and has only been assembled to be photographed. Small and compact, it would make an ideal reading light or could be used to illuminate artwork or architectural features in any residence or commercial setting. The height is adjustable from 4 to 7ft. and the unit turns off and on via a conveniently located toggle switch. The shade tilts up and down and from side to side to any angle with ease by manipulating the centrally located handle. Similar units have sold online for $950 - this one just $599.

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Moroccan Déjà View

I enjoyed making the first variant so much I created a followup to my original Moroccan concept. This one differs in that it has been chain-mounted to its canopy rather than attached via a solid stem. It does, however, wear the same buffed and polished steel-finished shade embellished with elements of vintage brass, but totally different ones.
As with the first version, it throws its lovely perforated pattern on both walls and ceiling. All electrical components are new. Very easy to mount. A definite eye magnet - just $599.
 

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Custom Made Moroccan-style Pendant

Newly created Moroccan-style pendant fixture comprised of vintage brass lamp elements and a perforated bare metal shade. Shade opens for placement of any standard 60W or Edison-style bulb.
Turned off and on via pull switch suspended from base of shade.

Hangs at a length of 29 inches (additional 5 inches with pull chain) and stretches 7.5 inches across. Exclusively one of a kind, like all the pieces I create, here in the city - sorry - this one’s sold.

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So Rich in Detail, This Chandelier Would Make a Jeweler Proud

I am an artist who expresses his creativity through the design and fabrication of one-of-a-kind light fixtures. I source interesting vintage and modern lights, disassemble them, and from the multitude of pieces they provide, create new, unique, functional, and I’d like to think, visually exciting works of art.
An assemblage of primarily vintage brass elements, this chandelier’s subtly blended with accents of copper and drenched with well in excess of 200 crystal prisms - each radiating with the warmth of 5 modern Edison-type bulbs.
From top to bottom, it hangs at just over 40 inches but could be adjusted to accommodate a lower ceiling - its width is a maximum of 15 inches.
The significant time and effort afforded in the creation of this one-off and original piece are reflected in its price - $2,900.

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Unique and original English Movie Fixture

This fully functional and adjustable British studio/theatre light was manufactured by the Strand Electric Company and imported to Canada in the 1960s/70s. This particular unit was factory painted matt black and is newly mounted on a bare metal, American made Matthews stand. I have modified the unit by converting it to household bulb use and added a Mole Richardson support cradle with rope tie for cable storage. The collapsible, wheeled stand has been disassembled, cleaned and polished and extends upward to a height of 9ft. Strand movie lights are rarely found here with any stand.
The fixture is illuminated via a new off/on toggle switch and features an adjustable, aspherical glass lens which modifies its beam from spot to flood. It has 4 movable interior baffles to control the light’s intensity.
This fixture would compliment any interior whether residential or commercial - it would make an ideal reading lamp or could be used to highlight architectural features or artwork.

I have another identical unit painted in factory original metallic silver - either one, $525.

Iconic 1950’s Movie Studio Spot/floodlight

Just completed professional restoration of 65 year old, fully functional, totally adjustable, American made VARI•BEAM flood/spotlight. Comes replete with 6 inch Fresnel lens and levers allowing beam to adjust from narrow to wide (spot to flood). Unit is comprised of steel, aluminum and brass components and is mounted on the original, extendible (to 9ft.) chromed, wheeled stand.
Fixture was completely disassembled, stripped to bare metal, polished then converted to 60 watt household bulb and reassembled. The VARI•BEAM brand (still in existence) was manufactured by Photogenic Machine Co. of Ohio. This unit turns off and on via a heavy duty, encased in aluminum 50’s era flick switch.
Ideal reading light or for highlighting art or architectural features.
Ornate and handsome piece - $750

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Vintage 1950’s Articulated Operating Room Spot Light

This fixture is a unique and original, vintage, articulated operating room light from a local Toronto Hospital made by Wilmot Castle of Rochester, New York. Via its many articulated joints and arms, it is fully functional and fully adjustable for height and the angle of its concentrated beam. It has a heavy metal base that rides on numerous casters with ease and it illuminates through a regular 100 watt household bulb.


This lamp is of particular interest to me as, as a child, I spent some significant time at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital which, as indicated on one of its stickers, happens to be where this light served its purpose. I like to think that it had potentially been the one that helped me through that period of my life.

An identical unit is listed on Etsy for $1000 American - this one is a lot less than half of that at $485 Canadian pesos.

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Feast for the Eyes

The focal point of this newly completed chandelier is its crackle-finished, 10 inch art glass globe. It is suspended from a hand-fabricated assemblage of vintage brass light fixture components including four ornate arms from which hang, by decorative chain,  4 brass shade holders and 48 strings of genuine Swarovski crystal prisms all illuminated by 4 gold-hued Edison-type bulbs - the globe being lit by a single standard 60 watt unit.

This primary element of the lamp is suspended by chain link from a cut glass ball and directly above it, an equally handsome brass canopy. The total length of the fixture measures 36 inches with a maximum width of 19 inches.

All electrical elements are new. All brass has been polished to a fine gloss as indicated by the photos below.

This elegant chandelier would command attention in any residential or commercial venue. $1,595.00 

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Fire and Ice Chandelier

The primary portion of this recently completed piece was taken from a solid brass, 50’s pendant comprised of a large orb with sculpted arms and leaf-ornate shade holders. Its original glass shades have each been replaced by 12 individual strings of Swarovski prisms which now surround 4 vintage-style Edison bulbs creating the impression of cascading crystals of ignited ice.

Hand-polished to a gloss, this element of the fixture is suspended from a smaller brass oval ball by lengths of decorative brass chain which, in turn, hang from a large diameter, equally ornate canopy.

From top to bottom, the fixture measures 31" with a maximum width of 17". Totally unique and one-of-a-kind, this custom made chandelier would definitely become the focal point of any residential commercial venue in which it was displayed. $1795.00

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Brilliant, Prism-studded Art Nouveau Chandelier

Just completed - a one-of-a-kind, fully refurbished 1930s solid brass European Art Nouveau chandelier. The entire fixture has been disassembled, polished, waxed, rewired and reassembled with 52 individual strings of cascading crystal prisms.

24 glass rod fobs and 24 additional strings of prisms hang from 4 individual brass shade holders attached to the dome. The 4 shade holders each contain a vintage, ceramic-rimmed socket and an Edison-style, gold-toned bulb by which the the chandelier is primarily illuminated. A frosted, flame-shaped glass shade is centrally mounted from dome’s interior containing a single tear-shaped chandelier bulb.

The 15 inch diameter, solid brass, embossed and pattern-cut dome is suspended by 4 chains with glass beads from a decorative brass sphere mounted mid way between its ceiling canopy. The total height of the fixture from top to bottom is 36 inches.

The unit is newly rewired, grounded and ready to mount.

This is a truly unique, exceptionally stunning fixture sure to be the focal point of any residential placement - $1,995.00

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Ex Hollywood Luminary With Historic Canadian Connection Exposed in Plane Site

Classic 1940’s Mole Richardson 10 inch type 410, Fresnel-lensed movie lamp is tagged as being equipment from A.V. Rowe, the company that designed and built the famous Avro Arrow fighter jet from the 50’s. The fixture was disassembled, stripped, repaired, polished and converted to operate with a standard household bulb.
The “410” is a rare variant of this size of lamp with many brass and aluminum elements and fittings including the original heavy duty on/off switch. Its stand expands to a height of more than 10 feet, the unit has an extra long cord and the beam can be adjusted from flood to spot with the twist of a knob.
It is ready to plug in and shine and would be the focal point of any residential or commercial venue. Many similar units on 1stDibs and Etsy are going for significantly more. Beautiful patina, quite large and extremely handsome fixture - $1,450

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Hollywood Starlight Stripped, Blasted, Oiled and Converted

This newly dismantled, sandblasted and oil-sealed, Mole Richardson vintage “Baby Solar” is the studio lamp typically seen on Hollywood movie sets. It has a 6 inch Fresnel lens, fully functioning spot to flood-type beam adjustment, a wheeled, fully adjustable stand and reconditioned shutters (barn doors).  It has been reconfigured to illuminate with a 60w household bulb instead of the intensely hot original 500w. variant.

Handsome and elegant, it will flatter any residential or commercial venue - adds visual drama to architectural features and/or artistic décor. Lists on Etsy and 1stDibs for hundreds even thousands more - $650

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Redefined One-of-a-kind Designed With Musically Inclined in Mind

This brand new, one-of-a-kind lighting fixture is fabricated from a repurposed, metal snare drum secured on a chromed, tubular column and mounted on a substantial, black marble base. The lamp stands just over 5 feet tall and rests on plastic pads to prevent floor damage.The unit is lit by 3 standard, household bulbs and operated by an illuminated foot switch. A sure focal point whether in a commercial or residential venue - pendant and table drum light variations are available as well as an array of other different styles of fixtures ranging from classic to steampunk - all designed and hand made in my Corktown studio.This unit - just $650.

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Rebuilt American Studio Spot/floodlight

Now available are numerous reconditioned and refurbished studio spotlights including this 65 year old steampunk-style unit that comes replete with a 6 inch Fresnel lens, levers allowing the light beam to adjust from spot (narrow) to flood (wide) and a chrome plated and wheeled stand that adjusts to 9 feet in height. Unit is constructed primarily of steel with brass and aluminum components. This piece was stripped to bare metal, polished and converted to accommodate regular household bulbs. The fixture was manufactured by Photogenic Machine Co. of Ohio under the name Vari•Beam which thrives to this day. Ornate and handsome piece - $750