The graceful and stylish modern furniture designed by Jean Perzel earned him prestigious clients all over the world, including the Rothschilds and Henry Ford. His sleek Art Deco lighting fixtures are masterpieces of design, and his work has graced the homes of the kings of Morocco and Siam, and the French presidents Charles De Gaulle and Georges Pompidou. Vintage Perzel tables, floor lamps and other furnishings elegantly accentuate and complement — but never overpower — the architecture of their environment.
Perzel was born in Germany. His father and grandfather were glassmakers, and Jean learned to love the craft just as they did. He apprenticed with stained glass artist Franz Xaver Zettler in Munich and left his native country at a young age to travel around Europe. While traveling, he took jobs in various workshops and made his way to Paris around 1910. There he worked for a master glassmaker and was sent to their Algiers factory, where he supervised the production of the company’s more important commissions.
After serving in the Foreign Legion during the first World War, Perzel became a French citizen. He returned to glass painting in 1919 and became a stained glass artist in the workshop of revered Art Nouveau furniture designer Jacques Gruber.
Perzel eventually became fascinated with the burgeoning lighting industry’s then-new technology. He explored how illumination worked in big spaces such as the era’s stately cathedrals and bustling transit hubs and began to concentrate on designing elegant electric fixtures that offered diffused light in a uniform way.
Perzel opened his atelier in Paris in 1923 and produced decorative wall lights and sconces, chandeliers, floor and table lamps, and ceiling lights. He worked with frosted or sandblasted glass and colored enamels to design functional, geometrically rich fixtures that transformed an interior. Perzel’s work was included in the the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the exhibition credited with having widely publicized the Art Deco style — and he drew the attention of American industrialist Henry Ford, who commissioned him to design lamps, clocks and other objects that incorporated Ford auto parts. Perzel’s commission would help commemorate the production of 25 million Ford vehicles in Michigan. This cemented Perzel’s reputation as a prestigious lighting designer and manufacturer, and he was tasked with the production of headlights for Ford cars. The Ford-Perzel relationship endured for decades.
Perzel is renowned for designing the lighting for the Luxembourg Cathedral, the League of Nations in Geneva and the Canadian embassy in the Hague. He also collaborated with some of history’s most celebrated architects and designers, including Jules Leleu, Le Corbusier and Michel Roux-Spitz.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Atelier Jean Perzel lighting and other furniture.
Glass Wall Lights Sconces by Jean Perzel for Atelier Perzel, France, 1960s
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Elegant and rare pair of glass wall sconces by Jean Perzel. Designed and crafted in France, these timeless pieces embody the refined aesthetic of Atelier Perzel. A true collector’s i...
Brass, Steel
Perzel flush mounted fixrure
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Perzel round flush mounted fixture.
Brass
Perzel Flush-Mounted Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
French Art Deco plafonnier by Jean Perzel. Opaque white glass shades mounted in a chromed brass frame. Measures: 13” x 13” x 4".
Brass
Brass Wall Lights Sconces by Jean Perzel for Atelier Perzel, France, 1960s
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Elegant and rare pair of brass wall sconces by Jean Perzel. Designed and crafted in France, these timeless pieces embody the refined aesthetic of Atelier Perzel. A true collector’s i...
Brass, Steel
$5,800 / set
Rare Pair of Perzel, 1950s White Glass Sconces
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in New York, NY
Unusual pair of beautiful white glass sconces with silvered brass mounts by Perzel, signed, France, 1950s. Rewired for use in the USA. 10 W x 11.5 H...
Brass
French Art Deco Table Lamp by Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jean Perzel. Chromed-metal table lamp, circa 1930, concealing an inverted bell-shaped frosted glass shade, with the base inscribed Perzel. Measures: Height 22 in (55.8cm); diameter...
Chrome
$8,000 / set
Jean Perzel Pair of Wall Sconces
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jean Perzel (1892-1986). Pair of Art Deco wall sconces with thick frosted glass shades supported on rough cut-glass slabs set between brushed brass mountings. Measures: Height 6” (1...
Brass
Brass and Opal Wall Light by Atelier Jean Perzel, France Early 20th century
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Utrecht, NL
From 1920 to 1939, Art Deco revolutionized 20th century architecture and design. The period also gave birth to the Jean Perzel company, which would also make its mark on the world of lighting and design. Jean Perzel’s light fixtures and furniture in both glass and bronze later adorned the world’s most prestigious addresses… from the King’s Court in Belgium to the home of Henry Ford as well as the Rothschild’s family residence. He also conceived the lighting for the League of Nations in Geneva, the Luxembourg Cathedral, the Embassy of Canada at Lahaye, and even the French cruise ship Normandie. Like all wall lights from the Atelier, this wall light was designed and handcrafted in their workshop located in the heart of Paris. Since each model highlighted the architecture of the place that inspired its creation, the pure lines of Jean Perzel’s fixtures...
Brass
Floor Lamp by Jean Perzel, 1968
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Metal torchiere of satin finished chrome consisting of a vase shaped shade with a thick, satin frosted glass insert open at the top with its sides half shielded by a metal cover and ...
Chrome
A Pair of Monumental Art Deco Revival Wall Lamps by Jean Perzel for Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of large light Art Deco sconces with cascading Gobain glass elements with sculptural chromed uplights.
Chrome, Steel
$13,500
Jean Perzel Floor Lamp
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jean Perzel floor lamp in chromed metal and glass shade. Signed on the base. A 1930s design, was chosen for the ocean liner "Normandie" 1n 1935. Remade in 1990s.
Metal
$5,500
Perzel Table Lamp
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Nickel-plated brass and frosted glass table lamp.
Bronze
Large Perzel 1950s Reading Sconce
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in New York, NY
Jean Perzel (1892-1986) Rare swing arm reading sconce with enameled metal shade and inner glass shade. Rewired for use in the US. Measures:...
Brass
$30,000 / set
Pair of Jean Perzel Standing Lamps
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in New York, NY
Designed around 1930, each monumental standing lamp of brass and acid-etched glass is marked Perzel on the base by the switch. A chrome version was published in the French design ma...
Brass
$8,000 / set
H 8.08 in W 8.08 in D 8.08 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Frosted Glass and Chrome Sconces by Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Atelier Perzel - Pair of fine French Art Deco frosted glass sconces mounted on a refined and minimalist chrome frame.
Chrome
Fine French Art Deco Table Lamp by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a bronze base that supports a white opaline shade.
Bronze
Rare Brass and Glass Sconces, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Rupert Nikoll, Angelo Lelii
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare pair of brass sconces attributed to Emil Stejnar, 1950s. Made of sculpted sheet brass with alternating white lacquered stripes these unique wall lights have four rows of st...
Brass
Ateliers Jean Perzel Pair of Sconces,
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Miami, FL
Superb Atelier Jean Perzel glass sconces. Signed on the side of the sconce 2 lights per sconce, up and down, 60 watts max bulb. US rewired and in working condition. Totally restored ...
Brass
Jean Perzel Flush Mounts
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning Jean Perzel flush mount. Beautifully constructed light made up of solid brass trim, thick solid individual side glass pieces and an opaque glass diffuser. Two available and ...
Brass
Fine French Art Deco Bronze and Enameled Glass Flush Mount by Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mounted on a brown patina bronze square frame that holds the white enameled optical glass diffusers. The flat square horizontal diffuser is easily removable in order to change the bu...
Bronze
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Brass and Glass Table Lamps by Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a conical brass base that supports a frosted glass ogive shape diffuser. Signed.
Brass
Fine French 1950s Glass and Chrome Cylindrical Flush Mount by Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jean Perzel - A fine French Mid-Century cylinder-shaped flush mount / ceiling light in enameled glass with three chrome studs that support a prismatic glass lens (holophane).
Chrome
Fine French 1950s Pivoting Sconce by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rare and elegant French mid-century wall light by Jean Perzel, made with a pivoting bronze arm that supports a lacquered metal and enameled glass shade.
Bronze, Metal
$4,800 / set
H 14.38 in W 12.2 in D 6.5 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Double Torchere Sconces by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
In bronze, fitted with frosted glass tulip-shaped shades.
Bronze
Fine French Art Deco Bronze and Enameled Glass Flush Mount by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mounted on a gold lacquered bronze crown-shaped frame that holds the white enameled glass diffusers. The flat round horizontal diffuser is easily removable in order to change the bu...
Bronze
Fine French Art Deco Glass and Brass Sconce by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jean Perzel (1892 - 1986) - A Fine French Art Deco frosted glass and patinated bronze wall sconce with a geometric, sculptural base.
Bronze
Sold
H 15.5 in W 11.5 in D 5.5 in
Pair of French 'Model 1119' Bronze + Crackle Glass Sconces by Jean Perzel, 1950s
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of French 'Model 1119' sconces by Jean Perzel, 1950s. Each fixture is capped with a domed bronze mount, its surface enriched by a mottled patina. The shade below is formed of ...
Bronze
Sold
H 9.85 in W 14.97 in D 7.09 in
Model No. "1142" Wall Light by Atelier Jean Perzel, France Early 20th Century
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Utrecht, NL
From 1920 to 1939, Art Deco revolutionized 20th century architecture and design. The period also gave birth to the Jean Perzel company, which would also make its mark on the world of...
Brass
Sold
H 9.85 in W 14.97 in D 7.29 in
Model No. "1142" Wall Lights by Atelier Jean Perzel, France 20th Century
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Utrecht, NL
From 1920 to 1939, Art Deco revolutionized 20th century architecture and design. The period also gave birth to the Jean Perzel company, which would also make its mark on the world of lighting and design. Jean Perzel’s light fixtures and furniture in both glass and bronze later adorned the world’s most prestigious addresses… from the King’s Court in Belgium to the home of Henry Ford as well as the Rothschild’s family residence. He also conceived the lighting for the League of Nations in Geneva, the Luxembourg Cathedral, the Embassy of Canada at Lahaye, and even the French cruise ship Normandie. Like all wall lights from the Atelier, this set of wall lights are composed of unique pieces, designed and handcrafted in their workshop located in the heart of Paris. Since each model highlighted the architecture of the place that inspired its creation, the pure lines of Jean Perzel’s fixtures...
Brass
Jean Perzel fixture.
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jean Perzel flush mount model "Collier de la reine". A gilded brass structure with molded glass elements and a milky glass panel. Diameter: 18". Signed J Perzel.
Glass
Perzel Flush Mounted Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Square ceiling fixture designed by Jean Perzel. Would be perfect for small room.
Brass
Pair of Brass and Glass Sconce, Signed Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Set of two opaline and brass sconces signed Perzel in the brass. Beautiful brass patina and corolla frosted glass.
Brass
Perzel Ceiling Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Elegant Jean Perzel flush mount, puts out a soft strong light thru the milky glass panels.
Glass
Perzel Square Flush Mounted Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Perzel square flush mounted fixture in brass and milky glass.
Brass
Perzel Ceiling Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Perzel ceiling fixture made of brass and glass segments, the bottom in white milky glass. There are four sockets inside.
Brass
Pair of Perzel Nickeled Sconces, 1950s
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in New York, NY
Jean Perzel (1892-1986). Pair of nickeled brass sconces with cylindrical white glass shade. Signed, France, 1950s. Measures: 5.5 W x 12 H x 8 Pr...
Brass
Perzel Ceiling Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jean Perzel ceiling fixture in frosted glass and brass hardware. Signed J PERZEL.
Brass
Jean Perzel Ceiling Fixture
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Bridgewater, CT
French Art Deco plafonnier by Jean Perzel. Comprised of a circle of rough laid glass slabs set between two nickel-plated brass mountings, 1...
Brass