Birbenne Pendant Light - Brushed Brass

The Birbenne is a pendant light with a white velvet drum shade, set in deep vertical flutes and lined in gold, hanging on a slim black cord from a round ceiling canopy. The body is steel in a brushed brass finish, the shade is 38cm in diameter and the light stands 150cm high overall. It takes one E27 bulb of up to 40W; the bulb is not included, so you choose the colour and brightness yourself. Its IP20 rating settles where it can go: indoors, in dry rooms, and never in a bathroom or outdoors.

We would hang it over a dining table, in the centre of a living room or above a bed, where the fluted velvet gives a plain ceiling some texture and softness. At 38cm across, the shade is broad enough to hold its own over a table yet sits comfortably in a bedroom or hallway. Inside, the gold lining catches the light, so the glow falling beneath the shade takes on a warm tone. It suits anyone building a calm, neutral scheme who wants brass and soft fabric overhead rather than a bare bulb.

There is no switch on the light itself: it is switched at the wall, so the switch already in your room runs it. It works on 220-240V, 50/60Hz household mains, and as a wired-in mains light it is installed by a qualified electrician. The installation instructions come as a download, and the light weighs 1.551KG packed. Velvet's soft pile gathers dust over time, so a gentle pass with a soft, dry brush keeps the shade fresh, while a dry cloth suits the brushed brass canopy. When you buy a bulb, keep it to 40W or less and pick a warm white to sit well beside the gold lining.

Installation Instructions (PDF)

Can I fit the Birbenne in a bathroom?

No. It is rated IP20, which means indoors and dry only, so it belongs in living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and hallways, never a bathroom or outdoors.

Which bulb does it take?

It takes one E27 bulb of up to 40W. The bulb is not included, so you can choose the shade of white that suits your room.

How large is the shade?

The fluted velvet drum shade is 38cm in diameter, and the whole pendant stands 150cm high overall.

Does it have its own switch?

No, there is no switch on the light. It is switched at the wall, using the light switch already in your room.

What colour is the inside of the shade?

The shade is white velvet outside and gold inside, so the lining gives the light falling beneath it a warm tone.

What is the finish of the metalwork?

The metal body is steel finished in brushed brass, a soft, warm metallic tone that sits well beside the gold shade lining.