Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Those familiar with the work of Belgian ceramic artist Georges Pelletier know there is much more to his unique floor lamps and table lamps than meets the eye. From his stately, intricately detailed Totem floor lamp to his sculptural Owl table lamp, Pelletier’s talent for marrying ceramics with a simple light source to create complex shadow play will transform any interior into an illuminated work of art.
Born in Brussels in 1938, Pelletier developed a passion for ceramics in his youth. At merely 15 years old, Pelletier moved to Paris to study at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (now called Arts et Métiers ParisTech) before he went on to train in ceramics at the Pioulier School in Vence, France. Among his early instructors were ceramist Raphael Giarrusso and artist Fernand Léger. However, it was while working alongside a collective of potters in Accolay, Burgundy — a studio called Accolay Pottery, established by apprentices to well-known ceramicist Alexandre Kostanda — that he was likely inspired to experiment with cutouts and other carving techniques.
In 1961, Pelletier opened his first workshop in Paris, selling his ceramic lamps at the Saint-Ouen flea market. His works caught the eye of furniture design and manufacturing company Roche Bobois for which he created a series of lighting collections from 1961 to 1973.
In later years, Pelletier’s designs attracted the attention of Mathieu Tournaire, son of Philippe Tournaire, the founder of jewelry manufacturer Maison Tournaire. Charmed by Pelletier’s ceramic works and the playful light shows his fixtures would create in a space, Mathieu proposed a collaboration to develop a series of luminaires that would merge Maison Tournaire’s use of precious metals, such as silver and gold, with Pelletier’s distinct ceramics artistry. The partnership yielded a six-piece collection — three “Sun” luminaires, two floor lamps and a totem pole. Only three copies of each work exist.
In 1973, Pelletier opened a new workshop in Cannes, where he continues to work to this day. His ceramic lighting sculptures are coveted by art collectors worldwide.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Georges Pelletier lighting, decorative objects and mirrors.
1970s French Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Gold Leaf
1970s French Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Glass
1930s French Belle Époque Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Victorian Antique Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Murano Glass
1970s American Adirondack Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Pottery
1970s Asian Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Georges Pelletier Vases and Vessels
Ceramic