July 3, 2024, 2:33 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The “Grasshopper” floor lamp by Gubi impresses with its sleek yet notably quirky design that never seems to go out of style. The name is not chosen at random—it indeed evokes the image of a grasshopper. Swedish designer Greta Magnusson Grossman appreciated the German Bauhaus style and successfully introduced it to the American market with her acclaimed works.
Typically, floor lamps have a large, straight stand, a somewhat bulky base, and a shade that varies in size. The “Grasshopper” (sometimes called Gräshoppa) is different; this design accessory is unusual, resembling the abstract form of a well-known insect. The floor lamp seems to be inspired by a grasshopper and became known by this name—in Swedish—in history. As a classic, it is recognized not only by design enthusiasts worldwide. It was originally designed by Greta Magnusson Grossman and is now manufactured by the Danish company Gubi.
The Unique Design of the “Grasshopper” Floor Lamp
The “Grasshopper” by Gubi measures just 125.5 cm, not much for a floor lamp. This once again draws a comparison to the insect of the same name. Above all, it is the distinctive design of the three-legged lamp that resembles the anatomy of a grasshopper. The delicately built floor lamp has a backward-leaning stand, with two smaller support legs attached. Additionally, all three legs rest on slightly wider base plates, giving the “Grasshopper” a stable stance.
The conically shaped lampshade is also a small highlight: It is attached to the long front leg via a small ball joint, allowing the light beam to be swiveled 360° in all directions. This makes the rather small floor lamp an optimal reading light next to an armchair or close to a desk.
About the Designer Greta Magnusson Grossman
The design of the “Grasshopper” floor lamp is attributed to the Swedish-American designer Greta Magnusson Grossman. Raised in southern Sweden as part of a carpenter family, she herself underwent such an apprenticeship at a young age. Later, she further pursued her creativity and began studying furniture, textile, and ceramic design at the renowned Konstfack art academy in Stockholm. Grossman later added an architecture degree and soon founded her first design studio in Stockholm. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1940 with her husband, British jazz musician Billy Grossman. On the famous Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, California, she established her design studio named Magnusson Grossman and soon achieved great success.
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Grossman always oriented her work around the principles of the famous Bauhaus philosophy. She was particularly fascinated by the designs of Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. She herself later made history worldwide with the multiple award-winning “Grasshopper” floor lamp from 1947. Swedish design was already very popular in the American market at that time. It’s no wonder that celebrities like Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman were fans of her work. Throughout her career, Grossman produced many other famous classics, including sideboards and several lamps, but the “Grasshopper” floor lamp was her most important and successful work.
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Reissued by Gubi
Eventually, Grossman had enough of the design scene in 1966 and gradually withdrew with her husband. Instead, she dedicated her last 30 years to landscape painting. As a result, Grossman faded into obscurity—until 2012, when the Danish design manufacturer Gubi reissued some of her best works, including the “Grasshopper” floor lamp, based on Grossman’s original designs. Since then, the classic has been back in the spotlight and is often used in interior design. The famous lamp, with its minimalist and timeless design, is now available in numerous colors, making it easy to fit into almost any setting. Additionally, the “Grasshopper” is available as a table and pendant lamp.