The core story of the Gräshoppa
The Gräshoppa Floor Lamp is one of the most wellknown designs by pioneering Swedish furniture designer, interior designer and architect, Greta Magnusson Grossman (1906–1999). With a tubular steel tripod base on a backward diagonal slant, its unmistakable silhouette gives the impression of a grasshopper clinging to a blade of grass. Part of a collection designed in 1947, the floor lamp has an organic dynamism that was a breath of fresh air within the gravitas of mid-century modernism. The collection also includes the Gräshoppa Table Lamp; the rotating shade and brass ball joint of which echoes the floor lamp’s ability to direct light where needed. Completing the collection, the Gräshoppa Pendant inverts the same elongated conical shade design, bringing a modernist style and classic elegance to any kitchen counter or dining table.
Born Greta Magnusson Grossman was an innovator in the male-dominated worlds of mid-century industrial and interior design and architecture, gaining international recognition for her work. She was born and educated in Sweden, setting up Studio – her first combined store and workshop – in Stockholm the same year she married musician Billy Grossman. With the onset of the Second World War, the pair emigrated to California where she worked as an architect, designing 14 ‘Case Study’ style homes in Los Angeles and opening her second furniture and lighting store, on Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, this time calling it ‘Grossman’s’. She was among the first to bring the Scandinavian modern aesthetic to southern California’s burgeoning modernist scene and soon counted Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Fontaine, Gracie Allen and Frank Sinatra among her clients. She is, however, best known for her lighting designs – the Gräshoppa being among her most iconic pieces.
The powder-coated steel from which the Gräshoppa Floor Lamp is manufactured, enables a range of 10 colors, from the classic and timeless Black and White to a mid-century inspired palette of Andorra Red, Anthracite Gray, Aspen Yellow, Dusty Blue, Oyster White, Warm Gray, Vintage Red – and now Olive Brown – all of which work equally well in combination with furniture from the era, or as part of modern-day interior schemes. The Gräshoppa Table Lamp and Pendant both pair powder-coated shades from the same color palette with elegant brass and brass-effect details.
The Gräshoppa Table and Floor Lamp work well as stand-alone statement pieces, adding character and a touch of gentle humor to residential interiors, hospitality spaces and workplaces alike, while the Gräshoppa Pendant can be hung alone, in twos or threes, or in dramatic clusters for maximum impact.
GUBI has been working with the Grossman archive since rediscovering her work at a Stockholm retrospective in 2011. GUBI has relaunched a number of her designs, including the iconic Gräshoppa and Cobra Lamps, sparking new interest from around the world – and her original works are now highly sought after by design collectors.
Data sheet with product specifications:-
DESCRIPTION
The iconic Gräshoppa lamp was first produced in 1947. The tubular steel tripod stand is tilted backward whilst the elongated steel conical shade is mounted with a free moving joint in solid brass, consequently the light can be directional, yet the glare is minimal, both stand and shade are powdercoated and are available in 5 colours.
VERSION - GRÄSHOPPA FLOOR LAMP GM1
RAL codes are indicative.
- Fabric wire - Black:
- Warm grey / White inside // RAL 085 60 10 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 20 / Gloss level 20
- Anthracite grey / White inside // RAL 7016 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 20 / Gloss level 20
- Blue grey / White inside // RAL 160 60 05 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 20 / Gloss level 20
- Jet Black / White inside // RAL 9005 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 20 / Gloss level 20
- Andorra red / White inside // RAL 020 30 20 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 17 / Gloss level 20
- Aspen yellow / White inside // RAL 085 80 60 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 17 / Gloss level 20
- Oyster white/ White inside // RAL 1013 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 17 / Gloss level 20
- Fabric wire - White:
- Matt white / White inside // RAL 9003 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 20 / Gloss level 20
- Vintage red / White inside // RAL 3012 / RAL 9003 // Gloss level 20 / Gloss level 20
FACTS
MATERIAL
Shade: Powder-coated steel
Stand: Powder-coated steel tube Ø 12,7 mm
Swivel: Solid brass
MEASUREMENT - L X W X H MM
Lamp height: 1253 mm
Lamp stand: 375 X 435 mm
Shade height: 233 mm
Shade diameter: Ø150 mm
Cable length, exposed: APP.2150 mm
Cable length, total: APP.3250 mm
WEIGHT ITEM - LAMP INCL. WIRE
2300 g
Datasheet: Gräshoppa Floor Lamp
CoreStory: Grasshoppa
Designer Portrait: Greta Magnussen Grossman