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.
French Vintage Decorative Wall Hanging Plate by Georges Pelletier
By Georges Pelletier
Located in London, GB
French Decorative Wall-Hanging Plate by Georges Pelletier (circa 1970s). Opulent and graphic in equal measure, this square-format dish is a fine example of Georges Pelletier's decora...
Ceramic
Vintage Green Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Metal
Vintage Orange Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood orange plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in good vintage condition. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every interior!...
Wood, Giltwood
Moroccan Moorish Polished Brass Decorative Tray Wall Hanging
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fabulous Moroccan Moorish hand-hammered brass tray, intricate multi dimension artwork, very fine Islamic Metalwork brass repousse designs. Handcrafted wall hanging decorative brass tray with a copper...
Brass
Vintage Deep Red Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Metal
Vintage Blue Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood...
Metal
Vintage Deep Red Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Giltwood
Georges Pelletier '1938', Set of four Plates, circa 1970, France
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Georges Pelletier (1938), Set of four plates, Black, gold and red enamelled ceramic with solar decoration, Signed on the back, circa 1970, France. Measure: Depth. 26,8 cm Georges ...
Ceramic
19th Century French Faience Decorative Plate
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French faience charger or platter with typical hand painted burgundy floral decoration from St Clement in the East of France. Minor glaze loss. Old brass plate hanger...
Faience
Vintage Decorative Small Black Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful decorative black glass plate/bowl from Italy. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Unique piece for every table and interior! Only ...
Ceramic, Glass
Vintage Light Blue Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Metal
Vintage Orange Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Metal
Vintage Dark Decorative Ceramic Plate, Belgium, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative ceramic plate from Belgium The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every i...
Metal
Sold
H 1.78 in W 11.03 in D 11.23 in
French Vintage Decorative Tray by Georges Pelletier 'circa 1970s', Large
By Georges Pelletier
Located in London, GB
French vintage decorative tray / vide-poche by ceramicist Georges Pelletier (circa 1970s). Hand painted, fairly large ceramic tray also suitabl...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.78 in W 11.42 in D 11.03 in
French Vintage Decorative Tray by Georges Pelletier 'circa 1970s', Large
By Georges Pelletier
Located in London, GB
French vintage decorative tray / vide-poche by ceramicist Georges Pelletier (circa 1970s). Hand painted, large ceramic tray also suitable for w...
Ceramic