World traveler, polyglot and avant-garde visionary Jean Royère (1902–81) is one of the biggest names in French mid-century design. He was fascinated by different materials, such as raffia and zebrawood, and aesthetics from around the world, from Scandinavian modernism to the traditions of the Middle East. Owing to this venturesome spirit, Royère produced an eclectic body of work that truly doesn’t fit a singular style. One light fixture might have organic shapes reminiscent of Art Nouveau, while a table would be crafted with minimalist straw marquetry.
Born in Paris, Royère studied classics at Cambridge University and then worked for an import-export company. In 1931, he switched gears to design, studying cabinetmaking in the workshops of Faubourg Saint-Antoine and furniture making under the tutelage of Pierre Gouffé. He made his debut in interior design in 1934 when he won a design contest for the brasserie in the Hotel Carlton on the Champs-Élysées.
Royère’s most famous piece of furniture was his biomorphic Boule sofa, sometimes playfully called the Ours Polaire, or Polar Bear. Designed for his mother in 1947, the curved sofa with its fuzzy white velvet shocked the French interior design world when it was displayed at the Art et Industrie exhibition, but it proved enduringly popular with customers, such as the Shah of Iran, who purchased several for his daughter. Royère would continue to design furniture and interiors for an elite clientele, including the kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Royère retired in 1972, then moved to the United States in 1980. After he died a year later, his archives were given to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. His works continue to be highly coveted — Kanye West, for instance, once tweeted that the Polar Bear sofa is his favorite piece of furniture. In 2016, Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris opened a retrospective of his distinctive designs, from the plush 1943 Eléphanteau chair to the 1963 Tour Eiffel table with its elegant metal supports.
Find vintage Jean Royère tables, storage cabinets and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Two-arms Tour Eiffel wall light in black painted and gilt metal
By Jean Royère
Located in Soho, London, GB
Jean ROYERE (1902-1981) Two-arm Tour Eiffel wall light in black painted and gilt metal. Circa 1950. Dimensions with lampshades: H 48 x W 85 x D 31 cm Dimensions without lampshades:...
Metal
Large Spanish Gilt Metal Wall Light
Located in Buchanan, NY
This dramatic Spanish 1950s gilt wall sconce makes an exquisite accent piece for a hallway or powder room. The light is enclosed, to provide indirect lighting. In very good vintage c...
Metal, Iron
Sunburst Light Fixture / Wall Sconce in Gilt Metal, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching gilt iron leafed sunburst flush mount. Spain, 1950s-1960s. This ceiling light fixture features an iron structure with a central round panel framed by two layers of iron leaves. The central part is heavily adorned by the hammer marks and it is surrounded by a twisted iron rope decorative detail. It has a terrific gilt patina. This sunburst ceiling light will be eye-catching in a bathroom, bedroom or entry way. It will be gorgeous placed on a dark background. It can be used flush mounted...
Metal, Iron
$3,850 / set
H 16 in W 9.5 in D 6 in
Pair of Italian Gilt Metal and Crystal Two-Light Sconces in the Style of Bagues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of sconces, each having a backplate of scrolling gilt metal, adorned with faceted crystal prisms, drops, and pendants; floral rosettes petals pay homage to the styles of Maison ...
Crystal, Metal
60s Swedish wall light in brass and lacquered metal
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Swedish wall lamp from the 60s. Lampshade in perforated lacquered metal (original paint), arm in solid brass with a patina finish. The shade can be rotated up and down. Beautiful vin...
Metal, Brass
Italian Wall Light in Metal and Brass, 1960s, Made in Italy
By Stilnovo, Gio Ponti
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Brass wall sconces Producer: Origin Italy Age: 1960s. Description: This modernist wall light was produced in Italy in the 1960s. It is made from solid...
Metal
$859Sale Price / set|57% Off
H 18.9 in W 17.72 in D 5.52 in
Pair of 1950s Spanish Wall Sconces in Gilt Metal and Six Light Arms
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of Spanish wall sconces, from the 1950s, are made with gilt metal imitating plant leaves, each sconces have six arms with a false c...
Metal
$3,582 / set
H 19.69 in W 11.82 in D 5.91 in
Pair of two-light wall lights with parrot motifs in gilt iron and glass
By Maison Baguès
Located in Madrid, España
Pair of two-light wall lights with parrot motifs in gilt iron and glass - Atr. Maison Baguès - France - c. 1970
Iron
$2,000 / set
H 16 in W 13.5 in D 5.5 in
Pair Vintage Gilt Metal and Floral Porcelain 3-Light Sconces / Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage sconces, circa 1900s, finely crafted from patinated metal and brass with numerous finely glazed and colorful porcelain flower heads. 16 by 13 1/2 by 5 1/2 and 15 by ...
Metal
$1,820 / set
H 19 in W 11.5 in D 7 in
A Pair of Gilt Metal Two-Light Sconces w Volutes and Scrolls from France
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French gilt metal two-light sconces with volutes at the top and scrolls supporting the bobeches, 20th century. These sconces have been rewired for the US.
Metal
Sunburst Mirror Wall Candle Sconce in Black and Gilt Metal
Located in Barcelona, ES
A Hollywood Regency gilt iron sunburst mirror with wall candle holder, France, 1940s. Small wall sconce sunburst mirror with single candle holder in black and gilt iron; gold leaf fi...
Gold Leaf, Metal, Iron
$531Sale Price|50% Off
H 20.48 in W 9.85 in D 3.15 in
Antique wall lighting flowers metal paint and gilt gold
Located in La xara, VC
Baroque wall lighting with paint and gilt gold , flower paint with 2 bulbs .
Metal
$3,495 / set
H 16 in W 23 in D 9 in
Pair of Niermann Weeks 'Neapolitan' Crystal & Gilt Metal Two Light Wall Sconces
By Niermann Weeks
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Niermann Weeks 'Neapolitan' Crystal & Gilt Metal Two Light Wall Sconces Measures 9" in width, 6" in depth and 24.5" in height.
Crystal, Metal
Pair of 3-Branch "Bouquet" sconces
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1948, this pair of iconic three-branch sconces embodies Jean Royere's lightness of touch and interest in lively, organic form. Like a whimsical bunch of tulips, each slen...
Steel, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 12.5 in W 31 in D 17 in
Jean Royère, Four-Branched "Boquet" Wall Lamp, Gilded Metal, France, circa 1950
By Jean Royère
Located in High Point, NC
A master of many mediums, few of Jean Royère's works are more iconic than his imaginative, organically shaped, and often colorful lamps. Bearing it's original gilded metal, this lamp has an elegant yet playful expression. Provenance: 1950 Gallery...
Metal
Sold
H 6.5 in W 54 in D 5 in
Jean Royere "Serpentin" Three-Light Wrought Iron Wall Lamp, 1940's, France
By Jean Royère
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very rare wrought iron three-light wall lamp by Jean Royere, 1940s. All original with the exception of the shades, that unfortunately are stained, easily replaceable. Rewiring recomm...
Wrought Iron
Wall Lamp "Persane" Jean Royère
By Jean Royère
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Wall lamp model "Persane" design by Jean Royère. Very good state with original lampshades, wiring has been changed.
Brass
Jean Royère, Pair of Wall Lamps "Bouquet"
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of wall lamp by Jean Royère, 1950. "Bouquet" model three arms, golden metal.
Metal
Pair of demi-corbeille wall lights by Jean Royère c. 1948
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Pair of demi-corbeille wall lights by Jean Royère c. 1948; each sconce has five lights with shades