Midcentury French Chrome Table Lamp by Philippe Barbier, 1970s

Master craftsman Philippe Barbier created table lamps used on the sets of many French films, as well as furniture and decor like coffee tables and candle holders. The furniture designer and producer worked in Paris throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for using steel to make his pieces shine.

Barbier operated a small studio called Maison Barbier in central Paris, on rue du Pré aux Clercs. In addition to making his own furniture, he sold the work of other designers. Most notably, Maison Barbier was the first to distribute the iconic 1968 Tam-Tam stool by French designer Henry Massonnet. Barbier was also involved in the design of the stool, which is still in production today.

Barbier’s lamps were very popular for their unique designs, which often featured elegant curves and bases made of stone or polished metal. Their striking shapes caught the attention of many film directors. Just some of the films in which Barbier’s lamps make a background appearance are Le Retour du Grand Blond (1974), Peur Sur La Ville (1975), Nous Irons Tous Au Paradis (1977), Le Mac (2010) and Dans La Maison (2012).

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