Edgar Brandt & Daum Frères | French Art Deco Wrought-Iron and “Pâte-de-Verre” Chandelier | France c. 1925
£6,995.00
Product Code: LG676An exceptional, museum-quality French Art Deco four-light chandelier, representing an iconic collaboration between two master craftsmen of the twentieth century.
The heavily hand-forged, rich dark-patinated wrought-iron frame by Edgar Brandt features an intricate openwork central band masterfully detailed with scrolling vines and stylized roses. This botanical work extends down to an elegant, stylized leaf-form bottom finial.
The frame elegantly supports four large tulip-shaped pâte-de-verre glass lampshades crafted by Daum Frères. The shades are executed in striking, mottled tones of fiery orange and warm amber, emitting a rich, atmospheric glow when illuminated. The piece is suspended by its original central iron rod and finished with a matching hand-wrought textured ceiling rose.
The metalwork features the stamped signature of Edgar Brandt, and each individual glass shade is finely signed Daum Nancy with the Croix de Lorraine.
Literature & Reference:
- This important model is illustrated and documented in the authoritative design reference book “1000 Lights: Vol. 1 (1879 to 1959)“, edited by Charlotte & Peter Fiell and published by Taschen. This inclusion firmly cements the piece as a significant and highly collectible milestone in the evolution of twentieth-century decorative lighting design.
Dimensions / Specifications:
- Ht.76cmcm/30in, W.47/18.5
- Supplied with the original ceiling rose
Not Included:
- 4 x B.22 (4 or 6w) L.E.D candle/golf bulb (Available to purchase in our accessories department)
- Screw fixings
Edgar Brandt, Paris 1880-1960
- Edgar Brandt is considered the premier French metalsmith of the early 20th century and a visionary and is world-renowned as a master of Art Deco ironwork.
- He was one of the first to master the oxyacetylene welding torch (invented in 1903), which allowed him to create intricate, lace-like metalwork that was impossible with traditional riveting.
- 1894–1898: Attended the École Nationale Professionnelle de Vierzon. He excelled in ironwork and precision mechanics, which became the foundation for his later success.
- 1901: Opened his first workshop in Paris at 76 rue Michel-Ange, initially producing small wrought-iron jewelry and ornaments.
- 1903: Made his debut at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (SAD), showing early Art Nouveau designs.
- 1925: The pinnacle of his artistic career at the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris where his designs became synonymous with the “Style Moderne”
- 1926: Opened his flagship gallery/showroom, Etablissements Brandt, at 101 Boulevard Murat in Paris.
- 1926: Opened Ferrobrandt on Madison Avenue in New York City, introducing the Art Deco style to the American market.
- Brandt collaborated with Daum Freres, Nancy to provide the glass for his lighting although there is no documentation to say this was an exclusive arrangement.
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.



















