(A) How could this powerful design be other than by Boretti of Lyon?! It hangs about 28 inches long and is about 20 across, giving it presence as well as design perfection. Recently replated in brushed nickel by our master platers, it has the soft gleam of a fine piece of jewelry... (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(B) With a fresh chrome "skin," this solid brass or bronze Modernist jewel just gleams! Geometry? We gots geometry!!! Pizzaz, somma dat too! Our eye-catcher hangs about 26 inches long and is about 20 across. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(C) I started life as a NOT-ribbon-loving sort of guy, but guess what: I've jumped the fence! I mean, is this not the cutest concept ever, impeccibly translated into metal (of all things)? Then there's the chain, a 1910 version of the slinky? Whoa, I haven't even said anything about the signed Daum bowl, with the subtlest oranges, pinks, reds and yellows? The bowl's on the petite side, about 8 high and 7 across; overall this fixture hangs at 30 inches. What a beauty bash! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation).

(E) This baby's got her curves in all the right places... not to mention a geometric detail or two to complete a very attractive package. Glass ain't bad either, huh? Twenty-five inches long and about 23 wide. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(F) Light and airy, this Moderne expression has such lovely symmetry; and where there are details, as in the instance of the devices holding the shades, those details are elegant. It's possible this hails from the 40's, but given the frosted discs on the bottom, the pyramiding finial, and the ultra-high quality of the craftsmanship, I'd say it has every chance of having been created in the 30's -- oh, those precious 30's! It hangs down about 32 inches and has a substantial span of about 27 inches. It's chrome-plated (over solid brass, of course) and that chrome is original and in near-mint condition. There's a teardrop crystal pendant hanging from the center of the canopy, in case you were thinking of dozing off... (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(G) A handsome signed Degue fixture, hanging quite long at around 38 inches, with a freshly nickle-plated wrought iron mounting with exceptional design. These "panel" fixtures are increasingly rare, and this one, with four panels and a matching bottom bowl, is a beauty. It's square, of course, and if measured across the center (on top of the glass, at the widest point), is about 15 inches. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(H) This opalescent dazzler by Ranc Freres ranks right up there with the Best of the Best. Ranc, a positively obscure lighting designer (judging by their output, which if guaged by what's available today, was miniscule), nonetheless created works of sublime beauty. As configured with a gorgeous three-leaf canopy redone in brushed nickel, this hangs at about 28 inches long. Don't miss taking a close gander at those fabulous rosettes! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(I) Staying momentarily with our "dazzler" theme brings us to a masterpiece by the French glass designer Pierre d'Avesn. "Les Hirondelles" (swallows) is a much sought-after example of the work of this extraordinarily talented artist and designer. The bowl is about 16 inches across (thereby wider than most bowls, which are 13 3/4 inches; as shown it hangs about 28 inches). It's a bit shallower than many, lending even more to its unique and unusual aspect. Here's yet another opportunity to bring Nature's beauty into your home environment! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(J) If you like geese, or fish, or opalescence, or bronze or brass or French design or Art Deco or Art Nouveau, THIS IS FOR YOU!!! Just how much better does it get anyway?! The Verlys bowl (signed in the middle like most of them) has gorgeous opalescence, as do the three delicate and most unusually shaped shades (as if I had to tell you that!). Each of the small shades has a little crack in it (see the photos), two on the back and one on the side; they average about an inch long. Tant pis, as our French friends say. They couldn't care less about a little crack or a chip, unless they're trying to sell to Americans. The three little shades take candelabra-based bulbs, and I'd recommend keeping the wattage down to about 25 watts each. You just want to make them sparkle with a little light -- the main bowl will provide you all the illumination you need. With just 25 watts in each of the little shades those cracks won't increase. There are three sockets in the center bowl, and each can be fitted with a 60-watt bulb. The metal, as you can also see, is top drawer, beautifully cast and of top quality brass and/or bronze (one small repair on one of the leaves that hold the arms onto the main ring). That canopy weighs a ton -- and have you ever seen a more fetching canopy in your LIFE!!??? No, you haven't. So, rush out and cash those social security checks that have been piling up and send me the moola. By the way, this fixture hangs down around 31 inches long and it's about 27 across. Of course chain links can be taken out to shorten it, but I can't add any, since these are so totally unique and beautiful (I've never seen this chain before). (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(K) A matched pair of impressive Degue chandeliers (sold singly or by the pair)! They measure 33 long and about 26 in diameter. Substantial dimensions, brilliant metalwork. A pair of anything is next to impossible to find. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(L) Another intriguing form from our friends in France... with its requisite naturalistic floral motifs. Freshly nickel-plated in a satin finish, it hangs 27 inches, perfect for your 9 or 10-foot ceiling (I'm sure I have a slightly longer fixture for your Paris digs, with its high ceilings). (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)