(A) Why not start with an example of "lighting as fine art!" This exquisitely designed and executed table/desk lamp is by Henri Fournier, one of the most skilled ferronniers (ironworkers) of the Art Deco period. He signed his works (as is this one) "Le Fer Forge HF." The subtly colored shade is by Daum, the signature ("Daum Nancy France") incised in the glass in the usual place, along the rim. There's a one-inch hairline crack in the shade, up at the top, which looks like it's been there "a long time," and if you don't throw ice water on it, I doubt that it will ever expand. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(B) SSsoooooo hard to come by, soooo glorious -- French table lamps with SCALE. I mean, was there a law against height in 1925?!! You'd think, so few come available! Well, here we have a signed Rethondes shade with positively blazing oranges, yellow and cobalt blue. The stupid camera thinks we're looking at purple around the bottom border, but to the actual eye, it's a deep, vibrant cobalt blue. When it's not lit that color does appear to be a purple color. Ah, the glories of technology! Now, gaze at that handsomely worked base... the beautifully dimensional leaves, the rich red/brown patina, the crisp detail... about 28 inches tall overall. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(D) Signed "Le Fer Forge, H.F." (Henri Fournier) and standing 14 3/4 inches tall, this positively elegant table lamp could serve nicely on your desk, or your bedside table. Or, mine, so hurry! The glass shade is quite thick and heavy, and diffuses the light nicely. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(E) Well, the gnomes have been busy in the back room again, and look what they've cranked out!! I've recast this base from a lamp which I sold a year or so ago, in solid bronze, and had it plated in satin nickel. Now it proudly supports this magnificent signed Degue shade, probably the finest Degue design ever (in my humble esteem). The table lamp stands an impressive and utilitarian 22 inches, making it perfect for the desk or other major position in the room. Once you set it down you won't want to move it again, because it weighs 16 pounds! I've saved this shade for over ten years just for this moment!

Ooops, you watched, you waited, you snoozed!!! SOLD to Mike for his Tahoe pad!

(F) Hand-wrought iron, every millimeter embellished and with its lovely deep patina intact; hand-blown and signed Schneider shade. It's 9 3/4 inches of classic French Art Deco beauty!! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(G) I've seen my share of Modernist lamps, but NOTHING quite as impressive as these! They're only about 7 inches tall; but oh, my, "every inch is packed with dynamite!" The decorative element in the middle is faceted bakelite, and the metal is satin nickel over brass. Aren't the conical shades cute? Yikes, they even have their original cords AND the cutest in-line interrupteurs (switches) you'll ever see!

Dirk's Modernist feelers reached across the Atlantic and grabbed these beauties! SOLD!!

(I) This vivid Czechoslovakian table lamp is 10 1/2 inches tall. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(J) Here's a extraordinary pair of hand-wrought, massively substantial but delicate-appearing lamps with lovely pressed glass shades with a floral motif attributed to Gilles (unsigned), standing about 11 inches tall, 16 wide -- just the electrifying touch for that large sideboard, buffet or console. The iron work is top-notch, and the Gilles shades are polished-to-clear to create highlights, impossible to see in the photos. You know what that means, don't you? A visit to the store!!! (-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(K) Here's a small wrought iron lamp which succeeds, design-wise, splendidly! Which is more compelling, the three faceted balls or the graceful arc of the shade-holder? Recently redone in brushed nickel, then (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(M) I've marveled at the complexity and diversity of French lighting for years, and here's another feather in that cap, the "Pirouette." How French, that name. Where's its tu-tu? The one on the left, and in the picture just above this description, measures 14 inches tall to the top of the crown of the shade (when it's not extended). It'ss in essentially mint condition, a true rarity; by this I mean that the chrome is "just off the showroom floor." And, just to throw a little gas on your flames, this pirouette has a slightly larger cousin (on the right in the picture of them both). This one measures 17 inches tall, to the top of the shade crown, without extension (which puts it up another 4 inches). The larger lamp can hold a 100-watt bulb under its mighty shade, whereas the smaller one is limited to 60 watts.

Joe grabbed Daddy, but Sonny-Boy remains for you! SOLD!! Oops, now Sonny-Boy is gone, too!! Also SOLD!!!

(O) An exotic hardwood base holds an extremely high quality clear and frosted glass ball shade -- it's Hettier Vincent quality, design and execution-wise -- and signed J. Roberts (how's that for double-talk!?!). This lamp stands about 8 inches tall. Get a load of that switch -- looks a bit like balloon art for 5-year-olds, worth the price of admission just by itself!! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(P) It's a smallish lamp, about a foot tall. But such visual impact! The metal shade adds to the lighting drama when it's on at night! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Q) This chrome-plated (brass underneath) whimsical table lamp just steals the show! Very much in the Hagenauer design spirit, he holds a petit shade with "all the right" Deco markings, signed Lorrain (a subsidiary of Daum that Pierre d'Avesn headed for five years). Height, 15 1/2 inches. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(R) It's designed by George Carwardine, the "Anglepoise task light," 1934. It's on page 349 of "1000 Lights, 1879 to 1959," the lamp collector's Bible! Bloody English, I should say! But I bought it in France! It moves in every direction imaginable, and has a balancing device of some sort which (moreorless) keeps it where you've pointed it. It's beautifully constructed, a sort of erector set of lighting! It's 31 inches tall as shown, just a starting point! Original patina, just as I found it (but rewired). (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(S) In this photo this lamp somehow looks larger than the 11 inches of height that it actually has... the shade is 9 1/2 across. It's a chromed (original condition, near-mint) Moderne beauty, that's for sure, and that little Macassar ebony element between the shaft and the base seems "just right!" (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(T) Such pure design! This all-bakelite desk lamp has a swiveling shade and matching bakelite on-off switch, doubtless designed just for this lamp! It stands about 14 1/2 high. By the way, movie fans will just love to hear that this very lamp was just rented to the folks making the latest Superman movie. You'll see it on the silver screen soon!!! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(U) Can one overuse the phrase "riot of geometry" when it comes to certain French Art Deco lamps? Nooooo... I don't think so! This total jewel is about 13 inches high. The base is made of solid brass, and its original chrome plating is nicely intact! The shade, with its seemingly chiseled, nearly razor-sharp edges, aptly demonstrates that the French mastered, above all others, the art of casting glass. This is to say nothing of its design! And the shade is marked S.E.V.B., which stands for something prosaic like Societe Electique de Verrerie de Brie.

Robert recognized a rare gem when he saw it! SOLD!!!

(V) A recent arrival, a stately small French table lamp with a fiery opalescent shade. I've had it replated in brushed nickel for that soft, jewelry-like glow. It's about eight inches high and as wide at the top. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(W) A handsome little signed Muller table or boudoire lamp which stands 11 inches tall, on its nickel-plated (original finish) bronze base. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(X) Here's a French wrought-iron table lamp with a mottled glass shade in the look of Schneider, which stands 16 inches tall. The shade has some opalescent quality to the glass, which makes for a warm glow when lit. The base is beautifully worked and has a luscious original finish, a deep brown/bronze color. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Y) This is probably the finest alabaster table lamp I've had, complete with three carved birds frolicking in their "fountain." Perhaps they're basking in the light... Ahem. Anyway, it's about 15 inches tall and 10 across, in fine condition, and with a warmth of color which approaches the sensual... (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Z) Can you see the flamingo standing in the lake amidst the palm fronds? Don't worry, I can't either, in this moody photo. Oh, well, you'll just have to believe me when I tell you "you're gonna love it!" It stands about 11 inches tall and hosts a gorgeous French opalescent shade suggesting rippling water. The deep brass/bronze finish is original and in excellent condition. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Z1) Let's kick this group into the stratosphere with a fantastic peach glass shade perched on a satin nickelplated solid bronze base! The best news? I have a pair! They stand 10 inches tall. The quality of the glass is paramount, and a full 3/4 inch thick where the fins meet the vessel. Those fins, by the way, have been hand-polished, and the clarity of the glass is positively crystalline! Memory-challenged that I am, I can't recall who the maker is, but it's one of the biggies -- Sabino, or one of the companies on that level of excellence. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

This photo gives you an idea -- or, rather, proves! -- how dramatic they are in the right environment (like my living room). Hmmmm, my living room needs more drama?! HELP, take them away! (As if you need more convincing, here's another picture or two.)

(Z2) An elegant and versatile desk or chairside table lamp. The device on the shaft travels up and down and turns easily. The shade is a hand-blown American art glass shade, probably Steuben. The lamp stands about 22 inches tall. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Z3) Just over 7 inches tall, and with swiveling shades, these two Moderne "accent lamps" could even nicely illuminate a desk. I'm sure you'll find a place for them... (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Z5) A French holophane ball table lamp, measuring 16 inches tall, on a chromed base, the shade is 9 1/2 across. A great potential light source, any high wattage possible. Probably 70's vintage. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Z7) Bold, unusually shaped glass shades signed Hugue sit atop their nickeled bronze bases (bases which I've had recast in solid bronze, then plated in a high polished nickel). They're just under 10 inches tall.

It doesn't get much better! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Z8) This small pair of table lamps would be comfortable on a sideboard, a vanity, a mantle -- anywhere you want to display some real beauty in your home! The stepped bases are nickel-plated brass (it's the original nickel finish), pyramiding in the best of Art Deco tradition. The slightly organic nature of the shades provides an interesting countpoint to the geometry of the bases... These lamps are seven inches tall, about 5 1/4 wide. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)