An important and exceptional art deco wrought-iron two-branch desk lamp certainly by Marcel Vasseur, the metalwork lightly hammered and with an abstract “sunray” design, the two matching “pate-de-verre” lampshades engraved “Schneider”. The lamp apparently unsigned so most probably sold directly from his Paris workshop 22 Rue Mousset-Robert rather than at FAG (Ferronnerie d’Art des Galeries) Lafayette. France, c.1925-35.

Provenance:

• Pictures 7 & 8 attributed to Michiel Paravas. Picture 6: Matching design galleries, Picture 7 and 8: matching base design

Dimensions / Specifications:

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.

Verreries Schneider (Le verre Français), Epinay-sur-Seine 1913

Charles Schneider

• Charles Schneider was born in Chateau-Thierry, near Paris, on 23rd February 1881.
• His brother, Ernest Schneider (1877-1937), started working for Daum in 1903 as clerk. Charles had started an artistic career and was already active at Daum since 1898.
• In 1913, the brothers decided to start their own business and bought a small glass factory in association with a friend Henri Wolf, at Epinay-sur-Seine.
• In 1918, fire destroyed the studios at Galle and a group of artists went to Schneider’s.
• Early Cameo glass in art Nouveau style is signed “Le Verre Francais” and “Charder” pseudonym for Charles Schneider
• Pate-de-verre and art deco glass is signed simply “Schneider”