Stephane Danant, from Gallery Demisch Danant in New York, has collected, (and now sells) a small series of niche lights from the French studio Verre Lumiere. Founded in 1968 by Max Ingrand, a French master glass worker and decorator, Verre Lumiere was in fact a partnership between French glass company Saint Gobain and the lighting firm Mazda and spanned over only 20 years.
With just forty craftsmen everything was devised in house – and it shows in their simple hand forged beauty. Apart from distinguishing themselves through public and commercial commissions, including Pierre Paulin‘s Élysée lamps, designed in 1972 for George Pompidou’s private apartment in the Palais de l’Élysée in Paris; and their Brasilia lamps, designed in 1974 by Michel Boyer for the French Embassy in Brazil, Verre Lumiere was also one of the first companies to introduce halogen bulbs.
The material of choice for these edited collections was stainless steel, chrome, and nickel also opaline glass with most series consisting of just a ten or twenty pieces. 'Respected for its utmost quality and integration of light into any environment, the lights needed no branding – the functional design style alone is the recognition,' says Danant.
Legend has it that over lunch designers would sketch prototypes on napkins, by the end of the day they were made up and ready – how utterly ahead of its time.
Founded in 1968 by Max Ingrand, a French master glass worker and decorator, Verre Lumiere was a partnership between French glass company Saint Gobain and the lighting firm Mazda. Pictured left: ’Boyer Lighting Screen’. Right: ’Charoy’ table lamp
With just forty craftsmen everything was devised in house – and it shows in their simple hand forged beauty. Pictured left: ’Fermigier’ floor lamp. Right: ’Paulin’ neon lighting
Verre Lumiere was also one of the first companies to introduce halogen bulbs. Pictured left: ’Soulie’ lighting table. Right: ’Swildens’ floor lamp
The material of choice for these edited collections was stainless steel, chrome, nickel and opaline glass. Pictured left: ’Swildens’ painted metal and opaline glass lamp. Right: ’Vitrac Eventail’ lamp
Legend has it that over lunch, designers would sketch prototypes on napkins, by the end of the day they were made up and ready. Pictured left: ’Moltzer Barray Prismatic’ lamp. Right: Verre Lumiere’s ’Studio Table’
INFORMATION
Verre Lumiere lights range between $10,000 - $45,000. For more information, visit the Demisch Danant website
-
Australian bathhouse ‘About Time’ bridges softness and brutalism‘About Time’, an Australian bathhouse designed by Goss Studio, balances brutalist architecture and the softness of natural patina in a Japanese-inspired wellness hub
-
Marylebone restaurant Nina turns up the volume on Italian diningAt Nina, don’t expect a view of the Amalfi Coast. Do expect pasta, leopard print and industrial chic
-
Tour the wonderful homes of ‘Casa Mexicana’, an ode to residential architecture in Mexico‘Casa Mexicana’ is a new book celebrating the country’s residential architecture, highlighting its influence across the world
-
Basic.Space launches its first IRL shopping event – in an empty West Hollywood mallWith the launch of its first in-person event in LA this weekend, the e-commerce platform is looking to bring collectible design to a whole new audience
-
Design Miami 2024 is alive with possibility: here are 14 things to seeDesign Miami 2024 opens 4-8 December – let Wallpaper* guide you to the highlights, from dazzling installations to plump sofas and anthropomorphic sculptures
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartmentBoffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
-
Design Miami/Basel 2022 explores the Golden AgeDesign Miami/Basel 2022, led by curatorial director Maria Cristina Didero, offers a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and looks at the history and spirit of design
-
Kvadrat’s flagship New York showrooms encompass colourful design codesIndustrial designer Jonathan Olivares and architect Vincent Van Duysen have worked with Danish textile brand Kvadrat on the vast new space, also featuring furniture by Moroso
-
What to see at New York Design Week 2022Discover Wallpaper’s highlights from New York Design Week 2022 (10 – 20 May 2022): the fairs, exhibitions and design openings to discover
-
Colour defines LA ceramics studio and showroom of Bari ZipersteinStep inside the multifunctional ceramics studio, office and showroom of designer and artist Bari Ziperstein, designed by local firm Foss Hildreth
