(Before you read: You may be wondering why the bookkeeper has inspired us. Before you dive into our story about the bookkeeper, here are a few important notes to consider. Although the word “bookkeeper” is a direct translation of “guarda-livros” in Portuguese—where “guarda” means “keeps” and “livros” means “books”—it is not a commonly used term in contemporary Portuguese vocabulary. Instead, this older term has been largely replaced by “contabilista,” which translates to “accountant.” As a result, “guarda-livros” feels quite foreign to many Portuguese speakers today, especially the younger generation, which is what piqued our interest. We hope that this context provides a better understanding. Happy reading!)
The guarda-livros (bookkeepers) were not the security guards of public libraries, as the term might suggest. Not at all! They were the ones who assigned intimidating names to numbers and money, you know?
Names that still make us uneasy, such as: debtors and creditors, settlement, stamp duty, endorsement and guarantee, letters of guarantee, double-entry bookkeeping... goodness, they never end! How did they come up with such complicated concepts?
That term, double-entry bookkeeping, takes us back to the time of the Marquis of Pombal (1699–1782). Specifically, to the year 1759, when he founded the Aula de Comércio de Lisboa (Lisbon School of Commerce) to spread this accounting practice, probably becoming the first official school of accounting in the entire world!
We are talking, therefore, about people who lived truly immersive experiences. Immersed in papers everywhere, stacks of accounting record books, shelves upon shelves filled with filing folders, and their heads virtually filled with numbers!
Casa Tolle - Office in São Paulo, Brazil. 1910. Source: Cariocadorio Collection.
They performed these Herculean tasks in offices initially illuminated by natural light streaming through the windows, and at the end of the day, by candlelight or oil lamps. Later, they used kerosene lamps, and only in the last hundred years or so did the fortunate ones benefit from electric lighting.
Thus, the cinematic image of this stoic figure was created, lost among mountains of papers. Solitary, with reading glasses perched on the tip of their nose, relying only on the company of a faithful lamp.
But for all of us and any company, this is a respected figure performing one of the most demanding and essential tasks in economic activities. It is also the inspiration for our Guarda-Livros collection, featuring both a floor and a wall lamp.
Details of the Guarda-Livros Floor Lamp, in the Porto with Brushed Brass finish. © After Hall 2024
Of course, we have given them a configuration and presentation in a more serious style, with attributes worthy of a true guarda-livros.
And, according to our calculations, these models fit not only in the most private part of the office or consulting room but also in the bedroom or living room.
Guarda-Livros Wall Light, in the Brushed Brass finish. © After Hall 2024
We even suggest placing them next to a comfortable armchair and footrest, as they are the ideal companions for enjoying an aromatic tea or a more spirited beverage, and for immersing oneself in the writings of the heteronyms of the most famous Portuguese bookkeeper, Fernando Pessoa. Or perhaps, listening to Paul Simon’s "When Numbers Get Serious"...
DISCOVER THE GUARDA-LIVROS COLLECTION
Cover photo: "Daydreaming Bookkeeper (Adventure)." Illustration by Norman Rockwell, 1924. Oil on canvas. Private collection. Source: Wikimedia Commons.