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Val Saint Lambert Eclair Table Lamp

Materials: Pink, purple and clear crystal twisted glass. Chromed brass part on top. Bakelite socket, fabric lamp shade.

Total Height: 45,5 cm / 17.91”

Height: 27 cm / 10.62”

Base:  12,5 m / 4.92”

Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 75 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1950s, 1960s – Mid-Century modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Val Saint Lambert, Seraing, Belgium.

Other versions: This Val Saint Lambert Eclair table lamp was probably made in several colours.

Eclair: Thunderbolt, lightning or a little cake with chocolate and cream.

This biomorph table lamp is a “frivolous” failure in the eyes of a Val Saint Lambert die hard fan. These lamps were produced to form a counterweight against the then very popular table lamps and other glass objects that were made in Murano, Italy. This table lamp is made in the Sommerso style.

The Val Saint Lambert company had no choice to follow the trend or they went bankrupt. Despite everything, it happened several times in the years to follow. Fortunately the government always saved the company from destruction. This table lamp is a beautiful example of the natural/biomorph forms that were very popular at that time. 

Val Saint Lambert

Val Saint Lambert is a crystal and glass factory in the Belgian city of Seraing, southwest of Liège, which produces decorative glass, glass and crystal arts and crafts. The factory is located in the abbey of Val Saint Lambert, the former Cistercian abbey of Saint Lambert. In 1826 the founders of the crystal factory settled in the favorable site, due to the large buildings available, the proximity of coal and the possibility of transport across the river Meuse. Today Val-Saint-Lambert is present in more than forty countries. One can visit the factory and see glass blowers at work.

Val Saint Lambert or Val St. Lambert was founded by chemist François Kemlin and polytechnic (Master of Science in Engineering) Auguste Lelièvre in 1826. François Kemlin had previously worked for the Vonêche crystal works in the Ardennes, also in Belgium. Val Saint Lambert is well known for its Art Nouveau and Art Deco glass pieces.

Marked on the bottom “Val St Lambert”

On the bottom sticks an old label from Mathot-Vanhoffelen, it was a famous wedding lists and gift shop in the Lange Nieuwstraat and the Jezusstraat in Antwerp, Belgium. The family business was founded in 1882 and ended business in 2017 after 135 years. A farewell note could be read on their website. Since 2020 the website is offline. 

Val Saint Lambert Eclair Table Lamp – Label, Signature

Val Saint Lambert Eclair Table Lamp pink & clear crystal twisted turned glass 1950s 1960s MCM

Val Saint Lambert Eclair Table Lamp pink & clear crystal twisted turned glass 1950s 1960s MCM

Val Saint Lambert Eclair Table Lamp with an early lampshade
(photo from a catalogue of the early 1960s)

Val Saint Lambert Eclair Table Lamp - Catalogue 1960s

Val Saint Lambert craftsmen at work