Pair of chrome mushroom table lamps designed by Paul Mayen for Habitat.

Other than their updated wiring, these lamps are in their as found state. Note the wear to the chrome on the bases.

America c. 1960's
16-" diameter x 25- tall

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Paul Mayen (1918-2000) was an architect, industrial designer and entrepreneur. He founded Habitat, the manufacturer of these classic lamps and many of his works are in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Edgar J. Kaufmann (1885-1955) owned Kaufmann's, the most prominent department store in Pittsburgh. He and his wife, Liliane, had one son, Edgar J. Kaufmann, Jr. (1910-1989), who became an architect and professor at Columbia University. In 1934, the young Kaufmann traveled to Wisconsin to apprentice at Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture school and studio, Taliesin East. That November his parents arrived for a visit and met Wright for the first time to discuss building a woodland retreat on their property outside Pittsburgh. Three years later, one of Wright's greatest masterpieces and one the most important private residences in America was complete: Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA.

Paul Mayen and Edgar, Jr. met in the early 50's and Mayen designed the new visitors center at Fallingwater in 1979. The two remained partners until Kaufmann's death in 1989.