Exceptional Pair of Art Deco Best & Lloyd “Baku” Pendant Lights with Textured Satin Glass Panels
A remarkable matching pair of large Art Deco pendant lights by the renowned Birmingham lighting manufacturer Best & Lloyd Ltd., each featuring twelve textured satin glass panels held within beautifully cast oxidised brass frames.
The pendants display a striking architectural design typical of the late Art Deco period, where strong geometric forms were combined with refined materials and high-quality metalwork. Each shade is composed of twelve individually set satin glass panels, subtly textured to diffuse light evenly while producing a warm, atmospheric glow when illuminated.
Supporting the glass is an elegant radiating brass armature, cast with elongated tapered spokes that converge at a decorative finial beneath the shade. The brass framework retains its original oxidised finish, creating a rich contrast against the softly illuminated satin glass.
Both fittings are stamped with the Best & Lloyd maker’s mark, confirming their manufacture by one of Britain’s most important historic lighting companies. Founded in Birmingham in the nineteenth century, Best & Lloyd became internationally recognised for their high-quality lighting and electrical fittings. By the early twentieth century they were supplying prestigious installations across Britain and abroad, particularly within commercial, architectural and transportation settings. Their catalogues illustrate a wide range of elegant Art Deco lighting designs, many of which were specified for theatres, hotels, banks and grand residential interiors.
A semi-flush version of this design appears in the Best & Lloyd 1929 catalogue under the name “Baku”, providing valuable documentation of the model and confirming its period origin.
These pendants are notable not only for their craftsmanship but also for their exceptional scale. With a diameter of nearly half a metre, they sit comfortably between decorative residential lighting and larger architectural fittings, making them ideal statement pieces for interiors requiring both presence and refinement.
When illuminated, the satin glass panels softly diffuse the light, while the textured surface creates subtle tonal variation across the shade. The effect is both elegant and atmospheric, characteristic of the sophisticated lighting design of the Art Deco era.
An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a true matching pair of documented Best & Lloyd pendants of this scale and quality.
Technical Details
Maker
Best & Lloyd Ltd.
Origin
Birmingham, England
Era
Art Deco, circa 1920s–1930s
Model related to the “Baku” design illustrated in the Best & Lloyd 1929 catalogue
Quantity Available
Matching pair (2 pendants)
Dimensions
Diameter: 460mm (18.1 inches)
Glass section height: 300mm (11.8 inches)
Minimum drop: 500mm (19.7 inches)
Weight
Approx. 4 kg each
Bulb Holder
Multiple internal lamp holders (LED compatible)
Material
Textured satin glass panels
Cast brass structural frame
Brass suspension components
Finish
Original oxidised brass finish with natural aged patina
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. Glass panels in very good order with only minor signs of age. Brass frames retain their original surface finish and maker’s stamp.
Wiring
Professionally rewired with modern electrical components and ready for installation.
Installation Recommendation
Ideal for large kitchens, dining rooms, entrance halls, boutique hotels or commercial interiors. Particularly striking when installed as a pair over long dining tables or large kitchen islands.
Scale Reference
Large Art Deco pendant with strong architectural presence.
Worldwide Shipping
Professionally packed and shipped worldwide. Shipping cost calculated based on destination.
