A small wrought-iron table lamp with an orange “pate-de-verre” shade, engraved in the glass “Daum, Nancy, France” with Croix de Lorraine. France, c.1920-30.

Ht.30 cm/12.75ins

Daum Frères, Nancy

Auguste (1853–1909) & Antonin (1864-1931)

• The famous Daum glass factory dates back to 1878 when Jean Daum a lawyer with no glass-making experience, took the Sainte-Catherine glass-works in Nancy as payment for an outstanding debt.
• His sons, first Auguste & later Antonin, became partners in the business, August (Manager) in 1879 and Antonin (Art Director) in 1887.
• Antonin trained as an engineer and artist, he founded the glassworks art department in 1891 and oversaw all creative output, innovating with techniques like cameo glass and acid etching.
• In 1893 they debuted their “Daum Nancy”art glass at the Chicago World’s Fair, establishing their signature and international reputation.
• 1900: Achieved their ultimate triumph at the Paris Exposition Universelle, winning a Grand Prix. This victory allowed them to step out of the shadow of their rival, Émile Gallé.
• 1901: The École de Nancy (Nancy School) is founded by Émile Gallé (president) with Antonin Daum and the furniture maker Louis Majorelle serving as vice presidents.
• 1904: Following Gallé’s death, the Daum brothers became the de facto leaders of the École de Nancy and the global decorative glass market.
• 1920s: Under Paul Daum (Auguste’s son), the company successfully transitioned from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, moving away from floral motifs toward geometric forms and thick, acid-etched glass.
• Lighting was in its infancy as an art form and Daum collaborated with designers of metalwork such as Edgar Brandt and Louis Majorelle to produce creations of appropriate verve and originality.
• Daum along with Gallé are now considered the premier French glass designers of the era.