Midcentury Rotaflex Ceiling Pendant Lights by John & Sylvia Reid, 1958, Set of 4

A rare set of four Post War ceiling lights designed by John and Sylvia Reid for Rotaflex GB, established by Bernard Stern. The eclipse-shaped lampshades in spun cellulose acetate, were formed by spinning the threads on a special former. The transparent material diffuses light without reducing it. The shades simply hang from metal bulb holders.
The measurement of the longest light as displayed in the images is: 138cm High x 28cm Diameter. The shades on their own measure 28cm diameter x 15cm high.
In good period condition, with age-related wear. Professionally rewired with white flex, which can be adjusted to suit your preferred height, as each of the cables has been given 180cm of flex.

The manufacturing method was patented in 1946 by Danish civil engineers Bent Højberg- Pedersen and Bent Panker. It involved first extruding the cellulose acetate plastics material through a nozzle, to create a filament with a circular cross-section. It became known as the rotaflex process and was licensed out to other manufacturers by Pedersen and Panker before they set up their own company several years later, also called Rotaflex.
There was an Iconic series of British press adverts from 1958/59 showcasing John and Sylvia Reid’s designs produced via the cellulose ‘rotaflex’ process, beautifully art-directed by Layton Award, two of which can be seen in the last two images. (Images credited to Post War British)

John & Sylvia Reid established their practice in 1948, working from a rented flat in London. The couple soon became involved in work on the 1951 Festival of Britain working alongside many notable figures of the time. One of the defining features of their design partnership was that it covered their entire output. In contrast to other famous designers of the period such as Robin and Lucienne Day or Charles and Ray Eames, they did not have independent projects but collaborated on everything they did. The couple believed good design should be accessible to all, and during the 50s and 60s, their futuristic lighting and stylish furniture brought a gleam of modernity to ordinary people’s houses across the UK.