Light fitting; Bronze floor standing uplighter from Bounds Green station, 1932

In the early days of Underground architecture, lighting was often purely functional and added after the main structure was complete. This Art Deco-style floor-standing uplighter is made of bronze and was designed to project light onto the ceiling to provide a softer, indirect light. It was on the lower escalator landing at Bounds Green station on the Piccadilly line. Architect Charles Holden was given the opportunity to design the interiors of the new stations for the 1930s Piccadilly line extensions. He exploited the possibilities of electric light, integrating his elegant and functional designs in the architecture.