Curved Smoked Glass Discs Chandelier
Simon & Schelle – Sische
The light company Simon & Schelle GmbH & Co. KG was founded right after World War II in the German city of Sundern in 1946. Founders were Josef Simon and Josef Schelle. 3 years later they presented their first light collection. Over the years the company produced many lamps. One of the most well known lamps are made of glass flowers and brass, as you can see below.
In 1980 Luigi Colani designed the disk lamp with the tree-decoration, named Baum, Bonsai etc. How strange it may sound today, these lamps were a huge success. The design was used for many objects such as glasses, decanters and vases produced by the German Ritzenhoff AG. Several companies produced lamps and objects with a comparable design.
Until 1989 the original founders led the company after which the second generation stepped up.
Simon & Schelle ended business in 2015. At that time they were also active as an electroplating company and they sold a collection made by Joop!, a German fashion company founded in 1987. For a while they also sold furniture and home decor.
The website of Sische still exists today, but is under construction. There may be a restart of the company or someone has bought the domain name.
Links (external links open in a new window)
Massive – Wikipedia (in Dutch)
The complete history of the Philips company
LuigiColani.org – More info about Luigi Colani lamps
Official Luigi Colani website: colani.ch
Vintageinfo
Many thanks to Frank from Flowermountain.be for the photos.
Curved Smoked Glass Discs Chandelier
Materials: Brass plated iron frame, curved rods, chain and canopy. 10 cut smoked glass curved discs round lampshade. Bakelite E27 sockets.
Chain Length: 53 cm / 20.86”
Height: 37 cm / 14.56”
Width: ∅ 55 cm / 21.65”
Electricity: 5 bulbs E27, 5 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, but clear or bright bulbs are preferred.
Period: 1980s, 1990s.
Designer: To be appraised.
Manufacturer: Massive, Mortsel, Kontich and Wommelgem, Belgium.
Other versions: This curved smoked glass discs chandelier exists as wall lamp, flush mount, table lamp and floor lamp.
Made in several variations and colours. A lotus flower chandelier with brown leaves can be found here. A lotus flowers floor lamp with pink leaves can be found here, on Vintageinfo.
This smoked cut glass with gold coloured metal is typical 1970s, 1980s. This is the Massive version, made in Hong Kong.
One of the German companies that produced similar lamps is Sische. They produced a large amount of cut glass chandeliers in this style. One of the most well known chandeliers is the Baum lamp, designed by Luigi Colani, as you can see.
Simon & Schelle – Sische
Baum lamp series designed by Luigi Colani.
Massive
Origins and Early Growth (1926–1970s)
Massive started in 1926, when Pieter-Jozef De Jaeck founded a bronze foundry in Wilrijk, near Antwerp, Belgium. Initially, the company crafted traditional bronze items such as candlesticks, crucifixes, and chandeliers in-house using established casting methods.
However, as the market evolved during the 1930s and 1940s, Massive quickly adapted to meet changing consumer needs. Therefore, the company gradually introduced more functional lighting products for households. After World War II, electric lighting became more popular across Europe.
Consequently, Massive began combining classic design with modern electrical technology. This strategic shift enabled the brand to reach new customers and grow steadily.
By the 1950s, Massive had earned a solid reputation across Belgium. Its lighting fixtures – often inspired by mid-century trends – were both affordable and practical. Moreover, they were widely available in hardware and furniture stores. As a result, they became a staple in many homes.
In the 1960s, Eddy De Jaeck, the founder’s son, joined the company. He introduced semi-industrial production techniques and optimized logistics. As a result, Massive shifted from a craft-based workshop to a mass production business. This major change laid the groundwork for international expansion.
Design Approach and Product Strategy
Massive became known for producing lighting in the style of more exclusive brands. While they didn’t make direct copies, many of their designs were clearly “inspired” by well-known models. Nevertheless, the company also released some original highlights that stood out in their own right.
In addition to their own production, Massive distributed a significant number of lamps made by other manufacturers. This strategy was not unusual at the time. Many lighting companies across Europe followed the same practice to broaden their product range and appeal to a wider market.
International Expansion and Market Leadership (1970s–2000s)
During the 1970s, Massive expanded rapidly. With Eddy De Jaeck at the helm, and later his sons Piet and Jan De Jaeck, the company grew into a multinational enterprise. To stay affordable and increase volume, Massive moved production to Eastern Europe. Later, it extended manufacturing to China. This deliberate strategy helped the brand stay competitive in a changing market.
By the 1980s, Massive had become one of the top lighting brands in Europe. Its catalog included thousands of options for both indoor and outdoor use. Furthermore, the brand balanced style, affordability, and reliability. Because of this, it gained popularity in both Western and Eastern Europe.
In the Netherlands, Massive began operations in 1962. In addition, the company opened Massive Gorinchem in 1969. This location served as the Dutch headquarters for more than 40 years. Eventually, in late 2012, it relocated to Eindhoven.
Ownership Changes and the Philips Takeover (2002–2010)
In 2002, the De Jaeck family sold Massive to CVC Capital Partners for about €250 million. This move transformed the company into part of the new group, Partners in Lighting International (PLI).
Over the next years, PLI expanded quickly. For example, in 2005, the group acquired Modular Lighting Instruments. Then, in 2006, it added Trio Leuchten from Germany. As a result, PLI marketed over 10,000 products under brands like Massive, Lirio, Trio, Aqua, and Cucina.
The company grew further by employing about 5,000 people and operating in more than 70 countries. In 2007, Royal Philips Electronics announced plans to acquire PLI. The deal closed in 2008, which strengthened Philips‘ position in the European home lighting market.
Soon afterward, Philips rebranded all Massive stores in Belgium as Light Gallery. By 2014, the Massive name had vanished from packaging and store displays alike.
The End of an Era and the Move to Signify (2010–2024)
After the acquisition, Massive‘s visibility declined steadily. In 2016, Philips Lighting became a separate, publicly traded company. Then, in 2018, the company rebranded as Signify. This new identity marked a fresh focus on smart and connected lighting.
Eventually, in April 2024, Signify shut down the Light Gallery website and redirected all content to its main platform. Although the Massive name no longer appears in stores, its legacy lives on. Millions of homes throughout Europe still feature its recognizable and timeless lighting designs.
