Jean-Michel Frank, Floor lamp

Jean-Michel Frank (1895-1941)

Floor lamp
circa 1930

Floor lamp in bronze with a medal patina and glass. The bronze circular base with a medal patina is topped by four transparent original glass quarters. The bole formed by eight glass slides, is set at the top and at the bottom in a bronze cube with this same patina. Each elements are original, except the lampshade. A simple cleaning has been made for this floor lamp. This floor lamp was part of the funiture set created by Jean-Michel Frank for the Edward James’ appartement located 35 Wimpole Street. A similar model with a rectangular base is known since 1928. This refined and elegant piece perfeclty shows the Frank’s sensibility. The transparency of the central bole reminds the research of pureness. This use of transparent glass is contrasted by the bronze parts with their medal patina which highlight the whole design and offer a very interesting game of reflections. This floor lamp differs from the other lights created by Jean-Michel Frank. Indeed, this one is oversized with a height of almost 2 meters ! A certificate issued by the Jean-Michel Frank’s Committee confirms the authenticity of this piece.

Height of the bole 174,5 cm (68 3⁄4 in) - Total height 213,5 cm (84 in) - Diameter of the lampshade 57 cm (22 1⁄2 in)

Provenance :
- Special order from the artist by Edward James, poet and sponsor of the Surrealists for his house located 35 Wimpole Street, London.
- Donation in 1964 to the Edward James’ Foundation, West Dean College.
- « A surreal Legacy - Selected works of art from the Edward James Foundation», auction Christie’s London, December 2016.
- Private collection, Paris, France.
- Purchased from the gallery Chastel-Maréchal from the above.

Literature:
- «Jean-Michel Frank, l’étrange luxe du rien», Pierre-Emmanuel Martin Vivier, éd. Norma, Paris, 2006, pp. 110 & 307 for similar models.
- «Jean-Michel Frank», Leopold Diego Sanchez, éd. du Regard, Paris, 1997, p. 251 for a similar model.