Lighting

Wanna Meet Duplexalites?

Posted on • 4 Comments

Last week I was quite excited to find SIX Duplexalite pendants.

Six! I have never before found more than two.

But what, you may ask, is a Duplexalite?

The Miller Company created a fixture they dubbed Duplexalite. I sell a number of these wonderful fixtures each year (see link below). There is a wide variety in terms of colors, patterns, and details, but each Duplexalite comprises a single 300W socket, a glass bottom shade, and a large metal shade above. The fixtures throw a lot of light UP, and thus a highly diffused, flattering light quality is the result. You can even find Duplexalites in the White House!

 

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The six I found were online. If I had not know what they COULD be, I would not have made the purchase. After the set arrived I instantly realized that the large metal shades has been painted. Ugh. What was under the sloppy green paint?

 

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Oh! MUCH better! The set is the last generation of Duplexalites and date from the late 1040s to early 1950s. When lighted, the large metal shade magically glows white, but unlighted…

 

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…is a very pale beige.

 

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Each fixture accepts a 300W bulb, offering a LOT of light!

 

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Duplexalites in the White House!

 

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Duplexalites in the West Wing!

 

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Duplexliates in the movies! Ray Milland in The Lost Weekend.

 

 

 

My online vintage lighting store.

4 Responses to Wanna Meet Duplexalites?

  1. What an amazing difference with the green paint gone! I’m particularly fond of the ones in the Cabinet Room with the “tassels”!

    Reply

  2. My wife and I were just watching “Liar Liar” this weekend (easily my favorite Jim Carrey movie), and thanks to your post, I recognized Duplaxalite fixtures in the courthouse scenes! I don’t know what courthouse was used for filming, but it is beautiful in general.

    Reply

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