Abacus 2 Light Switched Picture Light 35cm 2700K - Antique Brass

Slim and horizontal, this is one of those fittings that does its work quietly: a low bar that sits above a picture, a headboard or a run of shelves and washes light down across whatever is beneath it. It spans 35cm and holds two G9 capsules behind a shallow shield, so the source itself stays out of your eyeline. A small toggle switch on the body lets you turn it on and off where you stand, rather than crossing the room to the wall switch, and the light is warm white at 2700K, the softer, more amber end of the scale.

Picture lights earn their keep in halls and on stair walls, where there is artwork to light but no surface for a table lamp. We would use this one over a framed print in a sitting room, above an alcove of books, or in a pair either side of a bed as reading light that keeps the bedside table clear. It dims with a compatible dimmer, which is worth wiring in if the room doubles as somewhere to sit in the evening, though no dimmer comes with it. Keep it to dry rooms indoors; a bathroom or a porch wants a sealed fitting instead.

The antique brass finish is a warmed, gently aged gold that suits older frames and darker paint colours, and it holds fingerprints far less readily than a bright polish. Dust along the top edge with a dry duster now and then, and if the shield needs more, wipe it once the light has been off long enough to cool, keeping sprays and metal polish well away. The capsules are replaceable, so the fitting outlasts them. It carries a one year warranty. We stock this size in satin nickel and satin black too, and there is a longer version in the range for wider pictures. Lamps are supplied.

How wide is it, and how far does it stand off the wall?

The bar measures 350mm wide and 125mm high, with a projection of 220mm, which is enough to bring the light forward over a framed picture.

What lamps does it take, and are they included?

Two G9 capsules, and they are supplied with the fitting. Replacements should be G9 LED capsules rated no higher than 33W.

Will it work on a dimmer?

Yes, with a suitable dimmer specified for LED loads. One is not included, so it needs to be chosen and wired in separately.

What does the switch on the fitting do?

It is a toggle switch on the body, so the light can be operated at the fitting itself without a separate wall switch nearby.

How warm is the light?

2700K warm white, a soft golden tone that flatters oil paintings, prints and timber frames rather than cooling them.

Can I use it in a bathroom?

No. It is rated IP20, so it belongs in dry indoor rooms away from splashes and steam.