Unusual Artifacts: A Pip Squeak and Wilfred Lampshade for a Child's Room, c. 1930

Lampshade featuring Pip, Squeak and Wilfred
England, 1930s
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This adorable lampshade was made in the 1930s. The shade was marketed for use in a child’s bedroom, and, in fact, it was used for that purpose until it was given to the V&A. The adornment on the shade is based on characters created by Bertram Lamb of Chesterfield, England and illustrated by Austen Bowen-Payne. They are the dog called “Pip,” a penguin named “Squeak” and one Wilfred, a baby rabbit. These plucky animals were some of the most popular cartoon characters of the 1920s to 1950s. They were favorites of many a household, and were so well known that the three main commemorative Great War medals were nicknamed after them.

The lampshade of white glass is made in a hexagonal form with Pip, Squeak and Wilfred painted in pastel colors on the sides. The original purchasers of the shade were the parents of Peter Gerald Lamb (born March 30, 1933). Lamb kept the lampshade in his room until 1967 when he was married. Afterwards, the lamp found its way into his children’s bedrooms.