(A) David Gueron, of Turkish origin and a former member of the French Foreign Legion, was the founder of the "Cristalleries De Compiegne." This glassworks mainly produced household glass in the early twenties. In 1926 David Gueron (the name "Degue" a contraction of his two names) founded a new factory, "Verrerie D'Art Degue," and put his full attention on the designing and production of Art Deco art glass. His factory was located on the Boulevard Malesherbes and his showroom at 41 rue de Paris. Gueron mainly produced vases, lamps and chandeliers. His glass became well known because of its full, deep colors, which he achieved via a special process (especially red, orange, yellow and green). Gueron freely copied the designs of successful French glass artists like Daum, Galle, Muller Freres and Schneider. One might consider imitation as the highest form of flattery, but Schneider thought otherwise and sued Gueron. Schneider eventually won the lawsuit, but the lengthy process (1926-1932) cost both firms dearly and they both almost had to close their factories. When the Second World War started David Gueron shut his glassworks.

I consider this particular model, with its bold, sweeping geometric patterns, to reflect Gueron's "finest hour" of design. He designed another lighting bowl of similar size and weight, with stylized roses, also a beauty, but from my perspective of "less is more," this is the hands-down winner (if one feels obliged to compare, and what Deco enthusiast doesn't tick off the design triumphs in his collection?!). This one hangs at about 30 inches as shown, but the squared tubing can be shortened or lengthened. And the best news? I have a matching pair!! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

 

 

 

(B) Sometimes people enjoy ascribing certain human qualities to chandeliers, and who am I to deny them that pleasure!? Or myself! So, I hereby dub this baby "Butch." "Butch," as you might know, far surpasses the realm of normal masculinity, perhaps even into Terminator territory. Great weight, bold, no-nonsense lines, this buster makes my mustache hairs twitch. It's 28 long, about 22 across, "just right" dimensions for that smokey, dark, library/office where you sprawl in your French leather club chairs and plot your next stock market triumph. That rich verdigris patina can be switched out to brushed nickel if your decorator insists on a lighter touch in your cave. The mottled white shades, in the manner of Schneider, reflect and support the bold and angled themes of the fixture itself. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

 

 

(C) A handsome, sparely designed wrought iron fixture from the 20's, with three exceptional pressed glass shades which have floral motifs in the best Art Deco design tradition. This piece hangs about 27 inches long, about 18 across. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

 

(D) An unsigned Gilles, with an opulant geometric floral design on the shades and bowl. The glass is of normal French quality, very thick and heavy. The wrought iron metal has been nickel plated and patinated. It hangs at 32 inches, about 20 across. I have two of these -- almost perfectly matching chandeliers, only the canopies being slightly different. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

 

(E) My, my, how much fun are we allowed to have? Totally unique frosted, clear and wheel-cut shades grace this copper and brushed nickel extravaganza! It's 27 inches long and about 21 in diameter.

(e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 
 

 

(G) A recently-acquired French auction catalogue shows an almost identical Modernist chandelier "attributed to" none other than Genet et Michon, no real mystery considering the impeccible minimalist design ethic present. Peach glass nearly one-half inch thick with a frosted circle where it meets the chromed metal (solid brass underneath, of course). Wow! Recently replated, this 30's, possibly 40's chandelier looks as pristine as when it first jumped out of the box when Pierre brought it home some 60 or 70-odd years ago! Can't you just imagine the conversation? 28 inches long, 19 diameter. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

 

(I) "Less is more" wins the day once again, with this cute little Moderne fixture. It hangs 14 inches long, and is about 24 in diameter. The glass, that very rare clear etched 30's glass, is thicker than 1/4 inch. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

(J) This is one of those rare times when I just feel like shutting up and letting the SHEER BEAUTY of the piece do the talking! Alas, I'm incapable of not mentioning that I've never had another asymmetrical Moderne fixture... Freshly rechromed, and with newly made, sand-blasted glass discs. Who could imagine? It hangs 24 long and is about 16 across the bottom. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

  

(K) This classic bowl with hanging shades fixture shows the interplay between natural decoration and geometry so esteemed by the French. It hangs 34 inches long and is about 22 in diameter. It's been refinished in polished nickel. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

(L) Hanging 26 long and about 17 in diameter, this interesting asymmetrical form is refinished in brushed nickel. The shades have a lovely ice-like design in relief, and note their pyramiding bottoms! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

 

(M) Here's a modest -- and modestly priced -- French four-light with a chocolaty bronze patina over solid brass. The four pressed shades, which have a sand-cast style finish, have the slightest pink color, and two bands of gold as you can see. The fixture measures about 29 inches across and hangs down about 24 as shown. I could replace the antique chain with a modern bronze-patinated chain and thus have the chandelier hang at any length. Those rippling arms remind me of Schwarzenegger before he became our Governor and started wearing sports coats.

(e-mail Jack to start the conversation)
 
 
 
 

 

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