A good quality wrought-iron art deco chandelier, the beaded framework certainly by the famous French blacksmith Marcel Vasseur. The central frosted glass plafonnier and satellite lampshades all of a geometric design and signed Muller Fres, Luneville. France c.1930

Provenance:

• See final photo of signed Vassuer ceiling light

Dimensions:

Ht.97cm/38in, W.66/26

Marcel Vasseur, Paris (1885-1962)

• 1885: Born in Paris, he would go on to become one of the most prolific French ironworkers of the Art Deco period.
• c. 1910–1920: Establishes his own independent forge and workshop at 22 Rue Mousset-Robert in Paris. This remained his primary base of operations throughout his career.
• 1922: Becomes a primary collaborator for Galeries Lafayette’s newly formed “La Maîtrise” studio, producing ironwork signed with the FAG (Ferronnerie d’Art des Galeries) stamp.
• 1925: The landmark International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris.
• 1925–1935: The “Golden Era” of his production. During these years, he produced his most famous hammered wrought iron lighting fixtures and furniture, often featuring geometric “perlé” (beaded) decorations.
• 1962: Vasseur passes away, leaving behind a massive body of work that is now highly sought after by Art Deco collectors.

Verrerie d’Art Muller Frères, Luneville & Les Grandes Verrerie et Cristalleries de Croismare 1919

• Henri & Désiré learn their trade working as student of Gallé and around 1895 create their own workshop in Luneville.

• In 1896, the entire Muller family (father, mother and children) live in Nancy. Camille works at Daum’s, Baccarat and then finally he goes to Sèvres. Eugene, Victor and Pierre join the Galle’s workshop.

• In 1900, Henri leases space inside the Croismare glass-works and transfers there some of the workshops of the Rue Sainte-Anne in Luneville

• In 1919 Henri and Désiré buy the majority of shares of the Hinzelin’s glassworks and create “Les Grandes Verrerie et Cristalleries de Croismare”.

• At the same time they create the new company “Verrerie d’Art Muller Frères” to give a name to their activity in Luneville.

• Glass produced at Luneville are signed “Muller Fres,Luneville” while glass at “Croismare” is signed as such.