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Plato Wall Sconce

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM Metal, glass, electrical components
DATES Designed 1998
DIMENSIONS Mount only: 15 3/4 x 13 1/2 x 11 1/4 in. (40 x 34.3 x 28.6 cm), height varies with arrangement of shades Yellow & Orange Pane (each): 7 x 2 1/2 in. (17.8 x 6.4 cm) Blue Pane: 7 x 5 1/2 in. (17.8 x 14 cm) Metal Grid: 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 in. (10.5 x 10.5 cm)  (show scale)
MARKINGS Stickers affixed to back of mount: (1) oval clear sticker, printed in white, "GEORGE [silhouetted within vertical arm of 'K'] / KOVACS / MADE IN THE / U.S.A."; (2) clear square sticker printed in black, "COPYRIGHT © 1990 / ROBERT SONNEMAN / FOR GEORGE KOVACS / EXCLUSIVE LICENSEE"
ACCESSION NUMBER 2000.104a-e
CREDIT LINE Gift of George Kovacs Lighting Inc.
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wall sconce of chromed metal with interchangeable metal and glass panes forming a "shade." Lamp (a) consists of thick disk mount that attaches to wall with two capped screws. From center of this mount, tubular arm projects out horizontally and then bends upward, supports a cylindrical can, open at top, that contains a light bulb. Four thin branches are soldered to and extend from base of can in a cross plan, they are bent up at different angles and are different lengths, all extending past the can. The ends of these branches are bent back toward the center and are fitted with one of four plates creating a multi-faceted "shade" onto which the light shines; these shades are attached with two capped screws. The shades are interchangeable and consist of: (b) wider rectangle of blue glass; (c) identical piece of orange glass; (d) narrow rectangle of yellow glass; (e) metal square perforated with square holes in gridded pattern; the glass shades each have holes in one corner for attaching to branch. Black rubber-coated electrical cord with on/off dial switch extends from back of mount. CONDITION: Good; a few tiny nicks around edges and screw holes of glass panes; cord has been cut and rewired together.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION Harry Allen (American, born 1964). Plato Wall Sconce, Designed 1998. Metal, glass, electrical components, Mount only: 15 3/4 x 13 1/2 x 11 1/4 in. (40 x 34.3 x 28.6 cm), height varies with arrangement of shades. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George Kovacs Lighting Inc., 2000.104a-e. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.104_bw.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 2000.104_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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