French metalworker Edgar Brandt refused to settle into a single way of doing things and he constantly experimented with different techniques, mediums and styles. From his earliest dive into Art Nouveau to his transition to Art Deco, Brandt brought his craft to bear on pieces ranging from architectural elements, such as doors, to furnishings like console tables and wall sconces — each object rich with thoughtful detail.
When he was 13, Brandt was enrolled by his parents in the prestigious École Nationale Professionnelle de Vierzon boarding and trade school. The school placed him in the ironworking program, where he learned traditional forging methods. He served two years in the military after graduating and subsequently opened a small shop to practice his craft.
In his cozy atelier in Paris, Brandt designed small metal objects like crosses, rings and pendants. He methodically created each piece and slowly worked his way up to larger projects. Inspired by the Art Nouveau furnishings of Louis Majorelle, fashioned from wood and wrought iron, Brandt added furniture design to his skillset.
In 1914, the French military called on Brandt to serve in World War I. During this time, he designed weapons and shell casings that were widely copied and used in both world wars.
After peace temporarily took shape in Europe, Brandt worked tirelessly to design and produce a wide variety of metal pieces. Every year, he showed his work at the Salon d’Automne. In 1919, he expanded his enterprise by building a new workshop, where he employed 100-plus workers. International demand for his work prompted Brandt to expand further and open a factory in the Parisian suburb of Chatillon-sous-Bagneux. There, he had more than 3,000 employees.
In 1936, the French government nationalized his company, and they began to produce armaments under Brandt's name. The onset of World War II led Brandt and his family to flee to Switzerland, where they stayed until the fighting was over. When he finally returned to France, Brandt didn’t reopen his studio. He chose, instead, to work on small-scale projects until his death in 1960.
Brandt received many high-profile commissions and participated in several important collaborations. He co-created some of France's most notable monuments, including the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe — completed in 1921. He received the title Knight of the Legion of Honor and the Medal of Honor for Applied Art from the French Society of Artists.
On 1stDibs, find antique Edgar Brandt lighting, tables and decorative objects.
H 12 in Dm 10.25 in
Art Deco Italian Sculptural Alabaster Lamp with Bird Motif
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Italian lighted sculpture of a stylized bird, finely carved from alabaster. Of circular shape, with lower bowl housing a single socket and lid with holes that emit light t...
Alabaster
H 5.12 in W 7.88 in D 3.15 in
French Art Deco Table Lamp with stylized Spelter Representation of Bird
Located in Verviers, BE
Stunning French Art Deco table lamp Gorgeous glass globe shade. With Spelter Bird motif. Sitting on a marble base. In excellent condition and in full working order. Rewiring and Fi...
Marble, Spelter
H 11.03 in W 10.04 in D 4.73 in
Stunning circa 1930 Bronze Bird & Wrought Iron Table Lamp Painted Glass Shade
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1930s bronze bird with glass domed shade and wrought iron frame table lamp A very well made piece, with the original glass s...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
H 5.52 in W 9.85 in D 3.55 in
French Art Deco Table Lamp with stylized Spelter Representation of Birds
Located in Verviers, BE
Stunning French Art Deco table lamp Gorgeous glass globe shade. With Spelter Birds motif. Sitting on a marble base. In excellent condition and in full working order. Rewiring and N...
Marble, Spelter
H 22.84 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
German Art Deco Wooden and Frosted Glass Table Lamp with a Woodpecker
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Art Deco wooden and frosted glass table lamp with a Woodpecker from the 1930s. This large and beautiful Art Deco period table lamp features an ornate white frosted glass lamps...
Metal
H 8.5 in W 7.1 in D 4.7 in
Rare Art Deco Alabaster Fish Table Lamp with Glowing Back Panel
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and highly decorative Art Deco alabaster table lamp with a wonderful stylized angelfish design. This early 20th century table lamp is one of those charming and artistic pie...
Alabaster
H 5.91 in W 9.06 in D 5.32 in
French Art Deco Table Lamp, Spelter Pelican on Marble Base, 1920s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Table Lamp with Spelter Pelican, France, 1920s A delightful example of French Art Deco lighting, this charming table lamp, created in France during the 1920s, beautifully combines sculptural artistry with practical function. Featuring an elegantly modeled spelter pelican with expressive glass eyes, the lamp rests on a finely finished marble base, embodying the refined craftsmanship and playful elegance that characterize the finest French decorative arts of the early twentieth century. Its compact proportions make it an ideal bedside lamp, night-light, or decorative accent for sophisticated interiors. The lamp is fitted with an attractive double glass shade that gently diffuses the light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere while highlighting the finely detailed bird sculpture. The combination of marble, spelter, and glass reflects the luxurious materials favored during the Art Deco period, while the stylized pelican introduces a distinctive touch inspired by the fascination with nature and exotic wildlife that influenced many French designers of the era. Measuring 15 cm (5.9 in.) high, 23 cm (9.1 in.) wide, and 13.5 cm (5.3 in.) deep, this rare lamp remains in good vintage condition, showing only minor signs of age, including small chips on the left rear edge that do not detract from its decorative appeal. Professionally rewired for international use, it is supplied ready for US, UK, EU, Australian, and other electrical standards, and is fully compatible with LED bulbs, ensuring reliable everyday use while preserving its authentic character. Both functional and highly collectible, this elegant pelican lamp...
Marble, Spelter
H 12 in W 7 in D 5 in
Beautifully Hand Carved Midcentury Nesting Birds Alabaster Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent condition sculptural alabaster table lamp from the 1950s. This highly decorative and practical size table lamp is the type of applied arts that really lifts your spirit. T...
Alabaster
H 8.27 in W 8.67 in D 3.55 in
French Art Deco Table Lamp with stylized Spelter Representation of Birds
Located in Verviers, BE
Stunning French Art Deco table lamp Gorgeous glass globe shade. With Spelter Birds motif. Sitting on a marble base. In excellent condition and in full wo...
Marble, Spelter
H 13.78 in W 18.9 in D 4.53 in
Art Deco Bird Sculpture by Irénée Rochard, Patinated Bronze, France
By Irénée Rochard
Located in Beirut, LB
French sculpture of a bird standing proud on a polychromed marble pedestal. The statue is in a two-toned patinated bronze, representing a pheasant walking with its wings tucked in an...
Marble, Bronze
PRIMAVERA / CLAUDE LEVY (attribution). Art Deco Dove. Crackled White Earthenware
By Atelier Primavera au Printemps
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PRIMAVERA (1926) - Claude Levy (attribution) / Edouard Chassaing sculptor. Large pigeon posed in profile in crackled white earthenware slightly cracked. F...
Earthenware
Paul Kiss, Genet&Michon, Large Art Deco Chandelier, Cast Iron, Molded Glass 1925
By Genet & Michon, Paul Kiss
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Beautiful Circular Art Deco chandelier, in Patinated Cast Iron attributed to Paul Kiss, and Pressed and Molded Glass by Genet & Michon. The chandelier is in the shape of a skyscraper, or a cascading fountain and the wrought iron has the original “antique pale green” patina. From the top: A decorative, flush mount, pyramidal canopy (ceiling mount at the top that serves to cover the electrical box in the ceiling) holds four elegant, wrought iron rods that support the frame and the four molded and 4 arms and lights. There are 4 « invisible » lights (bulbs) hidden in the glass body and each arm and light dish is equipped with lights also. About Paul Kiss Paul Kiss is a famous blacksmith from the Art Deco period, a contemporary of Edgar Brandt, Emile Robert, Raymond Subes, and Gilbert Poillerat. He is well known for his detailed parallel line chasing and chiseling. He was born March 5th 1886 in Kézdiszentkereszt, Hungary (now Poian, Romania) and died in 1962 in Linières-Bouton...
Wrought Iron
Christian Caudron, Large Contemporary Sconce, Alabaster, Fixings in Corten Steel
By Christian Caudron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Alabaster and corten wall lamp designed and produced by Christian Caudron, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2015*, in his Parisian workshop. This sconce, part of the Bridge Collection, ...
Alabaster, Steel
Leleu, Pair of Art Deco Sconces, Alabaster, Silver Plated Bronze Frames. 1929
By Georges Leleu
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Pair of Art Deco Sconces dating from 1929 in Silver Plated Bronze Frames. 1929 LELEU. Pair of Alabaster and Bronze sconces. Documented M...
Alabaster, Silver Plate, Bronze
Genet & Michon, Metal, Bronze, Sconces, Brushed and Painted, Mid-Century Modern
By Genet & Michon
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Monumental Metal Sconces in painted and brushed brass attributed to Genêt & Michon. These sconces were originally on the walls of a Tea Room in Paris (unfortunately closed now). About Genêt & Michon Former students of the Ecole Boulle, Philippe Genêt and Lucien Michon set up a design studio in 1911 for furnishings, chairs, and lighting fixtures. From 1920 they exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. They won several First Prizes at the 1925 exhibition...
Metal, Brass
Petitot, Rectangular Art Deco Chandelier, Nickeled Bronze, Sandblasted Glass
By Atelier Petitot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Art Deco nickelled bronze chandelier dating from the 1930’s by Atelier Petitot. The bottom of the chandelier body is made of a rectangular nickelled frame. There is a sandblasted ...
Bronze
