Combat operations during World War II destroyed the stained-glass windows of churches around France. Max Ingrand (1908–69), a French designer who spent time as a POW, would become a leader in their restoration and, in turn, bring his expressive vision to some of the most inventive postwar glass objects, including the striking 1962 Glass Drop Pendant model 2259.
Born in Bressuire, Ingrand spent some of his childhood in Chartres, where he was drawn to the medieval stained glass in the city’s famed cathedral. He later studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts and École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris, training with stained-glass artist Jacques Grüber and architect Charles Lemaresquier. Inspired by the Middle Ages, Ingrand used modern materials to evoke the past while crafting fresh designs in bright colors that would stand the test of time. As his contemporaries were shifting toward abstraction, Ingrand drew on figurative traditions and new geometric forms in his dynamic windows.
World War II interrupted Ingrand’s burgeoning career. Drafted into service, he was captured by the Germans and held in a prison camp. During this captivity, he met Ivan Peychès, who would go on to direct the glass manufacturer Saint-Gobain. After the war, Peychès hired Ingrand to replace and restore church windows damaged as a result of military operations. Ingrand’s success led to international work in churches, hotels and other buildings.
From 1954 to 1967, Ingrand was the artistic director of Fontana Arte — founded in the 19th century by Luigi Fontana in Milan — of which Saint-Gobain was a parent company. There, he focused on a more domestic scale and brought the historic Italian glass company into the industrial age.
Ingrand’s Glass Drop Pendant model 2259 — also known as the Drop Ceiling Light — features two thick slices of teardrop-shaped glass, each with a small area of frosting to diffuse the illumination from the interior bulb. The heaviness of the glass is countered by two brass pins, which elegantly connect the pieces. While he innovated with industrial production at Fontana Arte, Ingrand’s attention to craft is prominent in his popular designs, such as the Fontana table lamp. Fontana Arte continues to produce and update his designs today, adding advancements such as LED lighting. As with his stained-glass windows, he viewed these objects in relation to space. For Ingrand, light was “a means to breathe life into an entire architecture.”
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp 2259, Glass Pantinated Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic pendant light model no. 2259 designed by famous designer Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1960. It is made of solid brass with a na...
Brass
Three-Light Pendant in Green Nilo Glass by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This pendant light presents itself as a vertically articulated composition, defined by a measured balance between structural rigor and visual fluidity. Its proportions are slender an...
Brass
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
Max Ingrand For Fontana Arte Drop Pendant Lamp, Model 2259, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning Mid-century ceiling pendant light chandelier dating back to the 1960s. Model no. 2259, handcrafted by Fontana Arte in Italy and designed by the renowned Max Ingrand. This ...
Brass
Max Inrgand for Fontana Arte Rare Chandelier Model 2338
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte rare chandelier or ceiling light model 2338 with five polished teardrop shaped double glass shades with partial sand-blasted centers suspended by brass s...
Brass
Set of three Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte pendant lights model 2259
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Lovely set of three original Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte 'Model 2259' Heavy crystal glass lenses partially satinized with brass hardware. Condition is wonderful. Brass has been p...
Brass
Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Table Lamp Brass Glass Wood lampshade 1940 Italy
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Rare table lamp of excellent quality...Max ingrand Fontana Arte
Brass
Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp Model 2259/2, Crystal & Metal, Italy, 1960
By Max Ingrand
Located in Milano, IT
Max Ingrand (1908-1969) Pendant lamp, model 2259/2 Fontana Arte, Italy, ca. 1960. Metal frame and worked glass diffusers, composed of a horizontal bar with two suspended light elem...
Crystal
Max Ingrand Table Lamp Mod. 2488 for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental and rare Max Ingrand table lamp mod. 2488 for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1970s Reference: Fontana Arte Catalogue, 1970.
Metal, Chrome
$5,690
H 29.73 in Dm 10.24 in
Rare Max Ingrand Mod. 0556/B ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960's
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Max Ingrand Mod. 0556/B ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte
Brass
$4,510
H 30.7 in Dm 18.5 in
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Fontana Total Black Table Lamp in Glass, 2014 Edition
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Max Ingrand and manufactured by Fontana Arte, the Fontana total black table lamp, 2014 Edition, is an unusual Total Black produced in 2014 to mark the 60th anniversary of...
Metal
$8,900
H 30 in W 10.23 in D 3.93 in
Max Ingrand Pendant Lamp by Fontana Arte, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte pendant lamp, Italy, 1960. Formidable smaller pendant light which comes in chromed brass and textured acid-etched (blinded) shield-form reflector shades. T...
Brass
$72,842
H 20.87 in W 51.19 in D 51.19 in
Dahlia Chandelier Mod. 1563A by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Brussels, BE
Dahlia chandelier mod. 1563A by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950. The Dahlia Chandelier is one of the most iconic pieces from the Fontana Arte archive. Designed in the mid ...
Brass
Max Ingrand "2356" Ceiling Light for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Max Ingrand
Located in Argelato, BO
Max Ingrand 2356 ceiling light Fontana Arte Italy 1967 This rare and extraordinary Fontana Arte suspension chandelier is an icon of mid-century Italian design, made of solid brass a...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Light Fixture, Italy, 1960's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Light fixture by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in original patina. This example is the largest known, as the ones currently on the market are 15x15. It comes out of a Lele...
Glass
$15,922
H 27.56 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
Rare Max Ingrand Model 1933 Pendant for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptionally rare and completely original Model 1933 pendant light, designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte and produced in Italy in 1961. A refined example of Ingrand’s extrao...
Gold, Brass
$15,934
H 29.14 in W 9.06 in D 3.94 in
1960's Brass & Murano Glass Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Very elegant 1960's pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, from the Micro series. The iconic double lens cut panels of thick (2cm) profiled polished Murano glass with...
Glass
$35,478 / set
H 24.41 in W 8.27 in D 3.94 in
Rare pair Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte 'Micro' pendants Model 1933
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Rare pair original Max Ingrand pendents Double lens cut panels of thick profiled polished glass with satin finished glass centres In excellent condition. No chips or cracks. Love...
Brass
$15,934
H 33.08 in W 9.06 in D 3.94 in
1960's Brass and Murano Glass Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Very elegant 1960's pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Model 1933, from the Micro series. The iconic double lens cut panels of thick (2cm) profiled polished Murano glass with...
Brass
$12,405
H 31.89 in W 8.86 in D 3.75 in
Max Ingrand Pendant Light for Fontana Arte Model 1933, Italy, 1961
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roma, IT
Striking pendant light model 1933 in the marvelous aquamarine glass version, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte in Italy during the 1960s. Fully original and in am...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Rare chandelier c1950
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
Very rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte chandelier. Italy c1950 Twelve candelabra style arms and one downlighter with thick glass lense. Elegant and very rare.
Brass
Model 2098 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Model 2098 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. Smoked brown tinted panels paired with an etched bottom diffuser. This fixture...
Crystal, Brass
1960s Glass and Chrome Pendant by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Schoorl, NL
Classic drop-shaped pendant designed by Max Ingrand. Two thick and heavy glass panels with frosted glass center to diffuse the single E14 lightbulb. We als have one with brown/yello...
Chrome
Sold
H 40.16 in W 11.82 in D 4.73 in
Max Ingrand model 2259/2 glass and brass chandelier by Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Brass and glass chandelier, engineered by Max Ingrand, model 2259/2, manufactured by Fontana Arte during the 1960s. This overhead luminaire commands attention with its intricate eng...
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Ceiling Pendants Model 2259
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Max Ingrand for Fontana model 2259 ceiling pendants, a pair Designed and made in Italy in 1960s. Glass is 16 inches in height and 6 inches wide. Take one candelabra bulb each. Co...
Brass
Sold
H 32.68 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in
Model '2259/2' Ceiling Pendant By Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, c.1960
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in London, GB
A rare '2259/2' model ceiling pendant designed by Max Ingrand for the prestigious Italian glass manufacturer, Fontana Arte, c.1960. This beautiful ceiling light consists of a double ...
Brass, Nickel
Sold
H 41.34 in W 11.03 in D 5.91 in
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte “ Model 2259” Glass Metal Crome 1960 Italy
By Max Ingrand
Located in Milano, IT
Max Ingrand chandelier.
Brass
'2259/2' Max Ingrand lamp for FontanaArte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milano, IT
Suspension lamp, design Max Ingrand.
Brass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Chandelier, Model No. 2259, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milano, IT
Rare pair of pendant lamps designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy 1962. Model No. 2259. These lamps have a brass structure and blue glass shades. Very thick glas...
Brass
Lamp Crystal Brass Italy 1960s Max Ingrand Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Milano, IT
Ceiling lamp, brass frame, moulded and cut crystals with a glazed part.
Crystal, Brass
Max Ingrand Pendant, 1960s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Vienna, AT
Classic Max Ingrand drop-shaped pendant model 2259 for Fontana Arte, 1960s. Thick partially frosted glass on Minimalist patinated brass hardware. One brass E14 socket with new wiring...
Brass
