One of the great style icons of the 20th century, Tony Duquette (1914–99) created pieces with a singularly ebullient elegance. Through his private interior-decorating commissions and his work as a stage and movie-set designer, Duquette made his name synonymous with flamboyance, fantasy and glamorous originality.
Duquette was born in Los Angeles and studied at the Chouinard Art Institute. But his true education began in the mid-1930s, first as an assistant to an aging Elsie de Wolfe — the eminent interior designer who many say created the profession — and later as a colleague of William Haines, the famed movie-star-turned-decorator. Duquette’s clients would come to include many Hollywood luminaries — he decorated “Pickfair,” the fabled home of actress Mary Pickford, and homes for producer David O. Selznick and director Vincent Minnelli — and a robust roster of the rich and powerful, among them Doris Duke, J. Paul Getty, Norton Simon and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. All the while, Duquette was designing film and theater sets and costumes. He worked on such films as Kismet, Ziegfeld Follies and Can-Can; he won a Tony award in 1961 for costume design for the original Broadway production of Camelot.
Theatricality is the keynote of the best of Duquette’s designs. He made things that would get attention. Duquette was no purist — he appreciated the spare and sleek as much as the baroque and elaborate — but everything had to provide a visual effect, if not necessarily perform a function. Apart from the furnishings and objects he designed for his grandest decorating commissions, Duquette rarely used precious materials. “Beauty, not luxury, is what I value” was his often-repeated motto. Duquette pieces priced at $10,000 and above tend to be either intricately made or super-scaled or have an interesting ownership provenance. Most of his works are marked at about $5,000.
As you will see on 1stDibs, Tony Duquette created something for anyone who likes big-statement design — providing a showstopper for a lean, modernist decor or an alluring element in a lush, more-is-more interior. A Duquette design says: On with the show!
Pair of Mid-Century Tony Duquette Venetian Light Sconce, Mid-20th Century
By Tony Duquette
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mid-Century Tony Duquette venetian light sconces. Each features metal palm leaf forms with custom shades and murano crystal prisms. Priced each. ...
Crystal, Metal, Iron
Gold Leaf Coquille Chandelier After Tony Duquette by Remains Lighting
By Tony Duquette
Located in Montreal, QC
Gold Leaf Coquille resin chandelier after Tony Duquette by Remains Lighting This is a re-edition of the 1940's model by Remains Lighting.
Resin
$4,200 / item
H 36 in W 36 in D 30 in
Statement Lighting, Sculptural Bentwood Chandelier by Raka Studio
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
A chandelier made in solid ashwood using wood bending techniques. A single light is placed in a wooden cocoon which releases light with linear gaps creating a distinct lighting ambia...
Bentwood
Fine Brass Tiered 12 Light Chandelier from Remains Antique Lighting
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome and larger brass chandelier in an elongated traditional form. The top with a baluster form standard and a center bulbous segment for the four arched lights with bobeches a...
Brass
Art Deco Chandelier by Midwest Lighting Circa. 1920's
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Fulton, CA
Fine and quintessential example of a period Art Deco chandelier. Circa. 1920's. Original satin glass "Cloud" motif glass shades. Polished chrome and brass ring detail. Designed in th...
Brass, Chrome
1921 René Lalique - Ceiling Fixture Light Chandelier Coquilles Glass
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Ceiling fixture light chandelier "Coquilles" made in clear and frosted glass created by René Lalique in 1921. Molded signature. New ropes. Wiring just remade. Original ceiling cap....
Blown Glass
Pair of Italian Gold Leaf Wood Wall Sconces, 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Pair of Italian Gold Leaf Wood Wall Sconces with Shield Back Shades, 20th Century. Projection is 7.25"
Giltwood
$17,500 / set
H 38 in W 20 in D 13.5 in
Large and Elaborate Pair of Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Five-Light Sconces
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large and elaborate pair of early 20th century gilt bronze five-light sconces Each backplate shaped as a lyre, centered with a mask of Apollo, the top with a bow knotted ribbon,...
Bronze
Unavailable|$1,108 / set
H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 5.91 in
Pair of Wall Sconces Bronze Empire Style, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Solid brass or brass wall lamp Empire style with two arms. This wall sconces Empire style white rigid appearance, solid and basic geometric shapes. Decorated with acanthus leaves ...
Bronze
Statement Lighting, Abstract Bentwood Chandelier by Raka Studio
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
A chandelier made in solid ashwood using wood bending techniques. The piece is a complex design, giving it a varying look from each angle. Three-light are placed in a wooden cocoon-l...
Bentwood
$15,000 / set
H 48.25 in W 20 in D 10.75 in
Pair of 20th Century Régence Style Gilt Bronze Five-Light Figural Wall Lights
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large pair of Régence style gilt bronze five-light figural wall lights after the antique, each with a ribbon-tied backplate suspending a plumed helmet and centered by a Medusa mask...
Bronze
Elegant Gilt Bronze and Opaline Tassel Lamp in the Style of Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant gilt bronze and white opaline Hollywood Regency lamp in the style of Tony Duquette. Custom paper shade (19 in. diameter at top x 21 in. diameter at bottom x 12.5 in. tall)...
Brass, Bronze
Elegant Gilt Bronze and Opaline Tassel Lamp in the Style of Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant gilt bronze and white opaline Hollywood Regency lamp in the style of Tony Duquette. Custom paper shade (19 in. diameter at top x 21 in. diameter at bottom x 12.5 in. tall)...
Brass, Bronze
$7,200 / item
H 12 in Dm 20 in
Hedron Series Chandelier in Silver Leaf Handmade Contemporary Glass Lighting
By Furthur Design
Located in New York, NY
The Hedron Series Chandelier in Silver Leaf is comprised of six moldblown glass dodecahedrons arranged in a calculated cluster. Paired with satin nickel hardware and ceiling canopy, the silver leaf coated fixtures create a faceted array of luminance. Each individual dodecahedron features a geometric, machine-made quality to offset these otherwise wholly handmade creations. . Each chandelier comes furnished with a UL-wired candelabra...
Blown Glass
Vintage Boho Tony Duquette “Splashing Water 54” Chandelier
By Tony Duquette
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular vintage custom branch chandelier. The coveted Tiny Duquette “Splashing Water 54” design. Unmarked. Custom painted for a fantasti...
Metal
Vintage Contemporary Tony Duquette Splashing Water 54 Six Arm Chandelier
By Tony Duquette
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage Contemporary six arm chandelier. Made by the iconic Tony Duquette group. The coveted Splashing Water 54. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate. The chandelier is in...
Metal
Abalone Chandelier Hollywood Regency Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Atlanta, GA
Originally designed and handmade by Tony Duquette for his solo exhibition in Los Angeles in 1952, the abalone chandelier exemplified Duquette's affection for things glamorous and exo...
Metal
A Mid Century Pair of Glass and Metal Wall Sconces by Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage pair of wall sconces by designer Tony Duquette comprised of tiny green glass chips and metal wire in an inverted cone shape. ...
Metal
Pair of Tony Duquette Sun Sconces
By Tony Duquette
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Pair of Tony Duquette Sun sconces with black, gold leaf and braided rope accents. Convex mirrors with candlestick style bulbs up to 60 watts. Multiple pai...
Metal