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!
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
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 Frog Lamps by Tony Duquette (1914-1999)
By Tony Duquette
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Frog Lamps by Tony Duquette (1914-1999). Each lamp measures about 8" wide, 8" deep and 25" high from base to the bottom of socket. We had them rewired for 3 way light bulbs...
Wood, Paint
René Lalique French Coquilles Chandelier Plafonnier
By René Lalique
Located in Franklin Park, IL
René Lalique French Coquilles Chandelier Plafonnier This chandelier measures: 8.25 wide x 8.25 deep x 22 inches high (including chain) We take our photos in a controlled lighting s...
Glass
$2,250 / set
H 16.5 in W 7 in D 13 in
Antique Khorasan Brass Bird Lamps Tony Duquette Era Mid Century Modern
By Tony Duquette
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Khorasan Brass Bird Censor Lamps, in the style of Tony Duquette, unsigned, Anglo Indian, circa early 20th century. They are constructed of patinated brass birds on black lacq...
Brass
Murano Glass Gold Leaf Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
The Murano Glass Gold Leaf Chandelier is a luxurious and elegant lighting fixture for any home. Made with high-quality Murano glass, this chandelier features beautiful gold leaf acce...
Murano Glass
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
Gilded Wall Sconce in Tortoise Design, Style of Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in North Miami, FL
In the style of Tony Duquette, this amazing resin tortoise and gilded bronze wall applique has been rewired. This jewel will add panache to any room. Rewired for US standards. 75W...
Ormolu
"Splashing Water 37" Chandelier in Pewter & Acrylic by Remains Lighting
By Remains Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural “Splashing Water 37” six-light chandelier by Remains Lighting, New York, dated 2013. Designed as a dramatic interpretation of a fountain in motion, the chandelier features...
Pewter
$7,164 / item
H 11 in Dm 20 in
Contemporary 20" Gold Chandelier with Silver Chain by Tigermoth Lighting
By TIGERMOTH LIGHTING LTD
Located in Reading, GB
Contemporary chandelier with three shallow tiers of delicate chain strands and handcrafted metalwork. Available in Bronze, Gold or Flat Nickel Metalwork with either Black or Silver d...
Stainless Steel, Gold
Brass & Glass Chandelier by Vaughan Lighting
By Vaughan Designs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid brass and hand-blown glass lantern light designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Vaughan Designs. The piece has beautiful lines and is perfect for mid-century to ...
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
Leaf Chandelier by Matteo Zorzenoni
By MM Lampadari
Located in Milan, IT
This striking twelve LED lights chandelier in two tiers has a delicate structure in hand forged iron with a polished copper finish and was designed by Matteo Zorzenoni. Its timeless ...
Iron
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
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
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