William Arthur Smith Benson (1854 - 1924), was an English inventor and manufacturer of lighting fixtures, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is credited with developing the first practical and commercially successful electric lamp, the W. A. S. Benson lamp. The lamp was designed to be more efficient, durable, and long-lasting than the incandescent lamps that were in use at the time.

Benson's invention is considered a significant development in the history of lighting technology, and his lamps were widely used in homes, offices, and public buildings. He also has a patent on the process of making electric lamps by means of pressed powder.

Benson was also known for his ornate and decorative lamp designs, which incorporated elements of the Arts and Crafts style, such as the use of natural materials and motifs. His lamps were highly sought after and were used to illuminate many more...

17 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

W.A.S. Benson antique English brass desk lamp, circa 1900, 35…

W.A.S. Benson antique English brass desk lamp, circa 1900, 35 cm long

Voon Wong & Benson saw loop light for Fontana Arte, polished…

Loop Light: Adjustable Elegance in Polished Metal and White

Voon Wong & Benson saw loop light for Fontana Arte, polished metal frame with white coated interior. The amount of light emitted is adjusted by rotating the upper body section of the light, Singapore / Malaysia / Italy, designed 2003, When closed: 17 cm…

An Art Nouveau brass and copper ceiling light, in the manner of…

Art Nouveau Brass Ceiling Light with Five Branches

An Art Nouveau brass and copper ceiling light, in the manner of W.A.S. Benson, five light branches, original chain and ceiling rose. 50 x 44 cm.

William Arthur Smith Benson (English, 1854-1924), Arts & Crafts…

Arts & Crafts Chandelier by William A.S. Benson

William Arthur Smith Benson (English, 1854-1924), Arts & Crafts copper and brass chandelier, c. 1890, executed by W.A.S.B, the copper petals forming a stylised flower, with brass fittings, with three Pyrex glass shades, stamped, diameter 59 cm. Provenance…

William Arthur Smith Benson (English, 1854-1924), Arts & Crafts…

Arts & Crafts Brass Lamp by W.A.S.B

William Arthur Smith Benson (English, 1854-1924), Arts & Crafts brass Wall/table lamp, c. 1890, executed by W.A.S.B, on tripod base, with frosted glass shade, stamped, height 37 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Benson English Art Nouveau adjustable oil lamp, brass and…

Art Nouveau Oil Lamp Conversion, 1900

Benson English Art Nouveau adjustable oil lamp, brass and copper, circa 1900, converted to electricity, 176 cm high

Benson English Arts & Crafts oil lamp model No.293/K with…

English Arts & Crafts Oil Lamp with Vaseline Glass Shade

Benson English Arts & Crafts oil lamp model No.293/K with original Whitefriars lemon vaseline glass shade, black button double burner and chimney, factory stamp to base, late 19th century, 56 cm high overall

William Arthur Smith Benson, brass table lamp, heart shaped…

Benson Brass Table Lamp with Frosted Glass Shade

William Arthur Smith Benson, brass table lamp, heart shaped base with scroll terminal, long arched arm terminating with a frosted glass shade. Height 46 cm. Provenance: Estate late John Schaeffer.

William Arthur Smith Benson Aesthetic movement silvered brass…

Opalescent Glass Wall/Table Light by W.A.S. Benson

William Arthur Smith Benson Aesthetic movement silvered brass Wall/Table light model no. 1132A, circa 1890-1900, opalescent glass shade on an adjustable arm & three shaped legs, height 39 cm. Provenance: Estate late John Schaeffer.

Pair William Arthur Smith Benson, brass hanging lights, this…

Benson's E.1434 Brass Hanging Lights with Frosted Glass Shades

Pair William Arthur Smith Benson, brass hanging lights, this model is found in Benson's 1912 catalogue 'Electric light Fittings' model no. E.1434. Three brass hangs supporting a circular frame holding frosted glass shades. Provenance: H. Blairman & Sons,…

William Arthur Smith Benson silvered brass table lamp, original…

W.A.S Benson Silvered Brass Table Lamp

William Arthur Smith Benson silvered brass table lamp, original cream silk shade on a hemispherical reservoir, the base with leaf mounted sphere & three straight legs, stamped 'W.A.S Benson' to one foot. Height 75 cm. Provenance: Estate late John…

An important silvered brass and glass electrolier by W.A.S.…

Benson & Powell's Floral Electrolier

An important silvered brass and glass electrolier by W.A.S. Benson with shades by Powell of Whitefriars, the three lights suspended from arms composed of budding lilies and leaves, the ceiling boss and the pendants lights in the form of flowers, the glass…

A brass table lamp by W.A.S. Benson, circa 1902, the heart…

W.A.S. Benson Brass Table Lamp with Powell Glass Shade

A brass table lamp by W.A.S. Benson, circa 1902, the heart shaped base with hook and foliate bracket with counterpoise, the arm terminating in a Powell glass shade, height 33 cm. Provenance: H. Blairman & Sons London. Other Notes: This base is no. 1293 in…

An Arts & Crafts brass kerosene lamp, in the manner of W.A.S.…

Arts & Crafts Brass Kerosene Lamp, Benson-Style

An Arts & Crafts brass kerosene lamp, in the manner of W.A.S. Benson, with hammer finished triform column and frosted glass reservoir, height 51 cm (excl chimney). Provenance: The Estate of Emeritus Professor Brian Coote CBE, FRSNZ (1929 - 2019)

A fine Benson Arts & Crafts Metalwork oil lamp, early 20th…

Benson Arts & Crafts Metalwork Oil Lamp

A fine Benson Arts & Crafts Metalwork oil lamp, early 20th century, with maker's mark of William Arthur Smith Benson (1854-1924), in copper, brass and blackened steel, having a font with four sinuous buttress style supports pinched at the waist and…

William Arthur Smith Benson (English, 1854-1924). Gilt brass…

Gilt Brass and Copper Candelabra by W.A.S. Benson

William Arthur Smith Benson (English, 1854-1924). Gilt brass and copper three branch candelabra, c. 1900. Decorated with leaf embellishment and raised on splayed trefoil supports. Height 45 cm

Arts & Crafts copper and brass kerosene lamp, in the manner of…

Copper and Brass Kerosene Lamp in Benson Style

Arts & Crafts copper and brass kerosene lamp, in the manner of W.A.S Benson