Music lamps: Greased lighting
Much like stars, lamps can’t shine without darkness. Normally, that is. Studio Metallurgy’s music lamps, however, are so clever and good looking that they sparkle at all hours, in every ambience.
All the lamps in the collection are made from original and authentic wind instruments, both old and new. Designer Advaeita Mathur, whom you might know as the creator of eye-popping jewellery, says she originally used only old pieces that she bought off bandwallahs. But since the cost involved is the same, and the old pieces are occasionally worn out, she now buys new pieces as well to create her elegant accent pieces.
Where do the instruments come from? “Well, the majority of brass instruments in this country are owned by the armed forces and marching bands at schools. But there are also small bands, who work on a seasonal basis. I’ve formed a network of such bands from whom I buy the old pieces. I love the dents and pits that you see on the body of old instruments,” says the designer.
It’s not easy getting hold of the vintage instruments though, as their users rarely discard them. “If an instrument malfunctions, the musicians just fix the glitch and keep using it. Plus, instruments that are too battered or worn out are not viable as lamps either. Which is why, I have now started buying and using new instruments too,” says Mathur. Since all the pieces are custom-made, Studio Metallurgy’s clients have the option of deciding whether they want their lamp crafted from an old instrument or a new one.
Orchestras and big bands use only brass instruments, but members of the smaller seasonal bands sometimes nickel-coat their instruments for longevity.
“I give my clients that same option. They can get a lamp in the traditional brass hue, or coat it in nickel for easier maintenance,” says the designer.
Mathur first started designing her music instrument lamps back in 2016. But those were one-off pieces created for the occasional client. Alongside, she made earrings out of industrial spare parts, necklaces from watch mechanisms and molten metal furniture. Then life took over and she got busy with her family. She still created beautiful things for personal and home use, but didn’t sell them in a big way. It’s only in 2024 that she started doing that on a larger scale through her website (www.studiometallurgy.com).
The music lamp collection currently contains 13 pieces. There are hanging, standing as well as table lamps crafted from trumpets, trombones, bugles, euphoniums and horns. Each piece takes three weeks to a month and a half to create. “This line is very close to my heart. The process may be time-consuming, but I never want to mass-produce these items,” says Mathur. Amen to that.