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.
$5,589 / set
Pair of side tables by Georges Pelletier
By Georges Pelletier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paire de tables d’appoint par Georges Pelletier
Iron
Oval coffee table by Georges Pelletier for La Roue Vallauris - France, 1970
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Dimensions: W: 104/163cm - D:60cm - H:42,5cm Style: Space Age (Of the Period) Materials and Techniques: Ceramic - Steel Place of Origin: France Period: 1970-1979 Date of Manufactur...
Steel
$1,886
H 15.75 in W 44.49 in D 32.09 in
French Oval Coffee Table Vallauris Signed La Roue Ceramic & Steel circa 1960
By Vallauris
Located in Labrit, Landes
Oval coffee table with faience top signed Vallauris La Roue. Vallauris is a village in southeastern France. As early as the 16th century, it was inhabited primarily by potters who we...
Steel
$1,280
H 17.13 in W 42.52 in D 23.23 in
French Oak & Ceramic Coffee Table Vallauris Tiles Signed Barrois, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Oak and ceramic coffee table Top made of tiles signed Barrois. Made between 1960 and 1970. The tiles were made in Vallauris a village of the South of France. This place brought toget...
Ceramic, Oak
Vallauris, Coffee Table, Iron, Ceramic, France, 1960s
By Vallauris
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and orange-glazed ceramic and iron coffee or cocktail table, designed and produced by Vallauris, France, c. 1960s.
Iron
Pair of 2-Tier Entretoise Side Tables by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 2-tier 'Entretoise' side tables by Design Frères. Wrought iron base with 2 thin travertine shelves. Also great as small nightstands. Shelves are removable for secure shipping...
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Round ceramic herbarium coffee table by Roger Capron French vallauris
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Round coffee table by French ceramist Roger Capron from the 1960s, originally from Vallauris. Base structure in black lacquered metal and top made with glazed tiles in ochre hues, fe...
Metal
$559Sale Price / set|77% Off
H 28 in W 20 in D 20 in
Pair of Antique George III Style Carved Mahogany Paw Feet Side Tables
By Thomas Sheraton
Located in East Freetown, MA
Pair of George III style mahogany side tables with four paw feet and carved details including open carving framing the table tops.
Mahogany
$1,833
H 16.5 in W 26.8 in D 51.2 in
Signed Ceramic Coffee Table by A. Picard, Vallauris, France, 1960s
By Adrienne Picard
Located in BORGO, FR
Signed ceramic coffee table by A. Picard, Vallauris, France, 1960s. This mid-century piece features a ceramic tile top with a clearly visible hand-painted signature “A. Picard Vall.”...
Ceramic, Wood
Pair of Side Tables by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
The Torquemada side table by Jacques Jarrige is a refined sculptural work that expresses the artist’s signature exploration of balance, movement, and form. Handcrafted with poetic pr...
Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Unusual Side Tables by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of unusual tables by Dunbar ca' 1970's. Large scale-perfect as end tables or lamp tables, walnut tops, legs have a stuctural cut out detail.
Mahogany, Walnut
$1,304Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.95 in W 39.38 in D 18.51 in
French Coffee Table Vallauris Glazed Ceramics Poplar and Iron, circa 1970
By Vallauris
Located in Labrit, Landes
Coffee table with glazed faience from Vallauris and plated poplar Iron base French, mid-century Ceramic and iron. Good vintage condition with usual signs of use. Shipping: 47 / 10...
Iron
$3,027
H 10.83 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
French Herbarium Coffee Table Vallauris Tiles in the Capron Style circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Wood and ceramic coffee table top made of tiles in the style of Roger Capron. Made between 1960 and 1970. The tiles were made in Vallauris a village of the South of France. This plac...
Ceramic, Wood
Roger Capron Coffee Table, Vallauris, France, circa 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in Antwerp, BE
An early and highly collectible ceramic tile coffee table by Roger Capron, executed in Vallauris around 1950, during the formative and most artistically significant period of his car...
Ceramic, Wood
Sold
H 16.54 in W 23.23 in D 17.72 in
French Pink Ceramic Swivel Coffee Table by Georges Pelletier, 1960s
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage - Decoration - Coffee table The two upper shelves can rotate 360 degrees. The ceramic tiles are by Georges Pelletier for the Atelier La Roue in Vallauris: they are not glu...
Steel
Sold
H 16.93 in W 63 in D 23.23 in
Unique coffee table in ceramic by Georges Pelletier for La Roue Vallauris
By La Roue, Georges Pelletier
Located in NICE, FR
This ceramic table, designed by Georges Pelletier for La Roue Vallauris in the 1970s, showcases the charm of mid-century French design. The oval tabletop is adorned with intricate ha...
Ceramic
Ceramic Coffee Table by Georges Pelletier, France, 1970s
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Coffee Table by Georges Pelletier, France, 1970s
Ceramic
Sold
H 17 in W 29 in D 23 in
Georges Pelletier Ceramic Coffee Table for Roche Bobois, circa 1970, France
By Georges Pelletier, Roche Bobois
Located in Girona, Spain
Signed Georges Pelletier ceramic coffee table for Roche Bobois The two upper tabletops can be rotated 360 degrees on both sides, allowing many positions. Decorative ceramic tiles ...
Ceramic