::: Early 90s. ::: Crestworth Giant Lava-lamp. :::
White Promoshot and Black Editions have been pictured below. A big thankyou goes to a fellow collector Eugene for these images, who is lucky to have the Giant with the Original paperwork/ agreement that went with this store display lamp. Thank you to Eugene for the lamp images below.
Below: Crestworth Giant Promo Shot.
Lamp was repainted to black. Thank you to Eugene for the pictures above. This is one of my favourite pieces.
Instructions for Assembly:
1. Place lamp base in final resting position as lamp is not movable once filled and assembled.
2. Fit Plug and bulb. Use 100W Bulb.
3. Ensure Glass is completely clear and dry, free from particles inside
4. Place glass vase into lamp base carefully. Never use any force with the glass vase.
5. Place metal spring into bottom of vase.
6. Fill vase to 3/4 of master fluid (large container). This is achieved by standing on a chair beside lamp and opening tap on container into vase. Do not lean on vase.
7. Lower tube provided into bottom of the vase. Pour the moving base (2 bottles) slowly. Never stir nor shake.
8. Very Slowly add master fluid to vase to 1" of the top. Keep master fluid for topping up.
9. Fit aluminium internal lid.
10. Secure aluminium lid with one lap of sticking tape.
11. Very gently lower metal top over vase top.
12. Allow at least one hour for lamp to stand and settle.
Operation:
1. Switch lamp on and turn up full power via control knob.
2. Should make shapes approx 2hrs.
3. Bubbles may appear but disappear after 3 or 4 days.
4. Once shapes are rising, use the control knob to obtain the best balance of bubbles. Avoid overheating, large slow elongated shaped are the most desirable, adjust knob to obtain this.
5. A correctly adjusted lamp can be run for ten hours a day.
Notes:
If bulb fails, the lamp should be left to cool for a minimum of 3 hours. Then remove top and ensure that the aluminium lid is securely taped on to avoid spilling. The vase can then be lifted out by a strong and steady person and placed to one side whilst bulb is changed. The vase can then be very gently lowered into the base.
Too much disturbance will cause the lamp irreversible clouding.
::::::::: Very Early 1990s :::::::::
End of Crestworth Ltd Era. Products in Production: Astro, Comet, Jet, Rocket (Clear/Blue), (Clear/Red).
Astro - Height 17" Silver Anodised Finish.
Comet - Gloss White Enamel Finish.
Jet - Height 16" Gloss Black Enamel.
Rocket - Height: 18.5 " Chrome Base and Cap. Most expensive product of the lineup.
Colour Combinations that were in production: Violet/Red, Violet/Orange, Blue/Red, Blue/Blue, Green/Red, Green/Yellow, Yellow/Red.
The Crestworth Rocket was first produced in 1991 by Mathmos although the label states Crestworth this lamp was at the top end of the market due to it being chrome plated original colours available for the rocket were clear/red or clear/blue the lamp was discontinued in 1994.
::::::::: Crestworth Comet Design. :::::::::
During the very early 1990s, Crestworth started to make a product which is known as the Comet. These lamps are a cross between an Astro and an Astro Mini. The images below show the form which is a hybrid of the two styles. I have personally seen Comets in a dark metallic pink and a silver version. Also the Comet's cap is shallower than the cap used on later Astrobaby products. Thank you to Chris, for his images of the Crestworth Comet below.
Left to right Above: Silver Polished Model, Gun Metal Type, Dark Pink Anodised. As seen in the images above and below, Crestworth made a wide variety of coloured bases and caps. Comets have been seen in gun dull style silver metal, anodised dark pink and even a highly polished silver design. These lamps are very rare but one of the most interesting details is that the silver Comet below is dated to 1991. This makes it a very early design, furthermore it features a highly polished finish that is totally different to the dull metal often seen on the Comet products. Most Crestworth Comets feature the Crestworth Trading Logo, the silver polished model below features the early Crestworth Ltd Logo.
The Crestworth Comet was produced in various different colours however it is not known the full range of colours. The use of colour to change the look of the base and cap of the lamp is highly refreshing and makes the lamp look extremely striking.
The Comet was launched by Mathmos 1991 discontinued 1994.
::::::::: Pre-1996 The Glitterama Story. :::::::::
The story regaring Glitterama. Glitterama was a make-up cosmetic company that Edward Craven helped to set up financially. However when they started making Glitterama style lamps, Crestworth did not appreciate the idea they were competing directly in their market and recalled the loan. Crestworth then produced the lamps for short while. Their factory was just next to the Original Crestworth factory in Poole. Above: Glitterama's Jardiniere. Both of the larger models that were produced used the lunar style vase.
Assorted variations of the Glitteramas, in beautiful anodised enclosures and in different sizes existed. Glitterama was the first company to start using the "Lunar" style bottle. Therefore they are compatible with lunar bottles from Mathmos. New Lunar bottles are currently produced with a metal part at the top which may or may not be needed to be removed to fit the Glitterama products.
::::::::: 1991 Mathmos Fireball Lamp :::::::::
This lamp known as the Fireball is one of the largest lava lamps ever produced during the 90s, featuring the same globe as the Crestworth Princess and the Giant Lava lamp. Very little is known about the lamp however it is significantly larger than the Mathmos Lunar and the wax is liquid when the lamp is cold. This makes the lamp very hard to transport and must be filled when it arrives at its final destination. The Fireball has the visual language of a rocket lamp essentially with a lunar style cap, a cylindrical base which is supported by three legs. Materials used in this product to this time are not known neither are the colour combinations supplied with the lamp originally.
Production at late 1991. Two models were seen in the factory, one featured a red and white checkered finish with red fins (on the base) and the word fireball printed on base. The other model had blue and white chequered finish with blue fins. The lamps were on test after Ron the bottle filler/mixer had filled the bottles. The lamps were for display purposes only. Only a handful of the lamps were made.
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Special Gallery: Crestworth Galaxy Photo Montage.
Special Gallery: Crestworth Phantom Lite.
Special Gallery: Mathmos Initial Modern Range.