"Prominent II" Floor Lamp
Karel Volf, 1970s

Description:

A monumental, opaline glass floor lamp designed by Czech lighting designer, Karel Volf for the Hotel Praha; a sprawling, luxury hotel built by the Communist government in Prague during the 1970s and demolished in 2014. 

Construction began on the Hotel Praha in 1975. The monumental, curved building wrapped around the contours of the surrounding landscape, comprising 136 rooms, countless bars, restaurants, lounges, a swimming pool and bowling alley, to name only a few of its numerous amenities.

The hotel was designed to entertain and impress. Its early guests were limited to foreign dignitaries and the Comintern. Symbolically and geographically elevated above the city, the Hotel Praha was an architectural emblem created by some of the leading architects and designers in the former communist state. Almost every detail within the hotel was made custom, from its architecturally inspired leather armchairs to its dazzling chandeliers, each creation was as monumental as the building itself. 

Karel Volf's "Prominent II" floor lamp was one of the many custom designs made for the Hotel Praha. During the 1970s, Volf worked for one of the largest manufacturers of opal glass in Europe, Osvětlovací Sklo. During his time at the company, Volf was personally requested by the Prague Design Institute to design lighting for the hotel.

Whilst collaborating architects and designers were prohibited in taking images of the Hotel interiors for supposed security concerns, in the scarce imagery that is available, we can see that "Prominent II" was used in numerous spaces throughout the hotel, including the entrance to the impressive "Winter Garden" and the spa facilities. 

Few examples of the furniture from this once immense Gesamtkunstwerk [total work of art] survive, and the "Prominent II' floor lamp is an exceptional example of the organic-inspired aesthetics of the now lost interiors of the Hotel Praha. 

This floor lamp has been rewired with a UK standard plug, and woven, brown cord. The central switch is fully functional. 

Specifications:

Designer: Karel Volf 

Manufacturer: Osvětlovací Sklo

Design Period: 1970s

Height: 116cm

Diameter: 46cm