1930s Modernist Table Lamp

Materials: 2 nickel-plated metal round plates, open in the middle. 1 used for the bottom, the other for the top. Round frosted tubular crystal glass. 16 ornamental ball nuts. 8 nickel-plated tubes with inside 8 rods with thread. 3 metal slats. Brass and porcelain socket.

Total height: 23,8 cm / 9.37”

Width: ∅ 14,5 cm / 5.70”

Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 100 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. For this setup a clear bulb was used.

Period: 1920s, 1930s – Bauhaus, Art Deco.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: To be appraised.

This 1930s modernist table lamp was made in the style of lamps created by Jean-Boris Lacroix. He designed many nickel-plated or chrome lamps with frosted glass, such as several designers did at that time. This lamp is rewired, but the switch and plug are original. No marks on the switch, plug: VFC – 250 volt, 6A.

Boris Lacroix

Jean-Boris Lacroix (1902–1984) was a French art deco architect and designer.

He was the son of the Russian Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich, born in Saint-Petersburg in 1877 and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. In 1901, Boris Vladimirovich went to France and had a liaison with the French Jeanne Aumont-Lacroix. The child that was born in 1902, Jean-Boris Lacroix, was not recognised by his father but they maintained good contact.

He began his career in 1920 when he entered the workshop of Paul Dumas. At the age of 22 he became artistic director of the Maison de couture Vionnet, the fashion house of Madeleine Vionnet.  He worked for the company until 1937. He designed dresses, jewellery and handbags before he was responsible for the furnishing and decorating of Madeleine Vionnet’s private residences.

Salon des Artistes et Décorateurs

Lacroix came to the public’s attention in 1927 by way of his luminary creations presented at the Salon des Artistes et Décorateurs (SAD), the salon of artists and decorators in Paris and also at the Salon d’Automne, the Autumn Salon. He immediately seduced the public with his perfect use of glass and metal, fitted to chandeliers, sconces and table lamps.

Jean-Boris Lacroix designed many pieces of furniture that were produced by the cabinetmaker Regamey. This ensured his collaboration with many colleagues, such as Pierre Chareau, Jean Dunand, Jean-Michel Franck and Francis Jourdain.

The style of Lacroix is characterised by the predominance of geometric shapes, rigorous lines, right angles and smooth surfaces without mouldings.
His wooden furniture is often equipped with metallic embellishments, while other pieces are entirely made of metal like the Duralumin, an aluminium alloy. But from his numerous creations, the lights he designed were the most famous. He designed lamps for companies such as the French Atelier Pierre Disderot, Lunel, Mitis, and for his own business: Lacroix.