Mantis by DCWéditions lighting

Bernard Schottlander described himself as a designer for interiors and a sculptor for exteriors. He succeeded early on as a designer in industry and, after a few years, B. Schottlander decided to take sculpture further. He established a workshop in north London and was later assisted by the historian George Nash.

Later, Bernard Schottlander began to learn his metalworking craft at St Martin’s School of Art. It was from metal that Schottlander created his first major work, Lampe Mantis, in 1951. He designed the shape of the lamp partly with inspiration from the Praying Mantis insect - hence the name. The prominent Schottlander made such an impression with his design that the lamp is sometimes referred to as the Schottlander Lamp.

A handyman inspired by mobiles and praying mantises

Bernard Schottlander was inspired by Alexander Calder and his sculptures, which were moved by air currents in the room and eventually became live mobiles. It was from this inspiration that Schottlander created the first Lampe Mantis in 1951. He exploited movement precisely by creating function through counterweights combined with several strong and flexible metal parts. The Mantis lamp is also unique in that it is made from aluminum using techniques that required advanced skills from its creator. The shade is like an acrobat in mid-air, soberly and elegantly maintaining its balance.

Using his keen eye for sculpture combined with his knowledge of art and invention, Schottlander was every bit a handyman, giving the Mantis base a spiral-shaped movement where the symmetrical is countered by the asymmetrical. Out of this, Bernard Schottlander created his masterpiece, the weight of which was clearly inspired by the strong and effective legs of the Praying Mantis. Today, the Mantis range of lamps spans from floor to ceiling, and adorns both classic and modern homes around the world. It has been described as pure poetry, perfectly combined with balanced elegance, and has been distinguished by the European Consumers Choice, with a rating of 9.9 out of 10.