Lighting
Exceptional Pair of Signed Jean Després Sconces – Silver Plate with Gilt Chainlink Detail, Circa 1930s
Exceptional Pair of Signed Jean Després Sconces – Silver Plate with Gilt Chainlink Detail, Circa 1930s
A rare and highly refined pair of French Art Deco wall sconces designed by celebrated modernist Jean Després (1889–1980), known for his visionary metalwork that bridged jewelry and functional design. Each sconce is fully signed and crafted in silver plate, accented with Després’ iconic gilt chainlink motif that echoes his distinctive Cubist-meets-Machine-Age sensibility. The stylized twin-arm design is mounted with tulip-form frosted glass shades, producing a warm, atmospheric glow.
Després, a master of metal and a leading figure of the French avant-garde, often collaborated with artists from the UAM (Union des Artistes Modernes), and his work is held in major museum collections worldwide. These sconces reflect the bold geometry and industrial elegance that define his aesthetic. Both pieces are signed on the backplate—a rare confirmation of authenticity and provenance.
Perfect for collectors of French Art Deco lighting or connoisseurs of fine 20th-century design, this pair represents a museum-quality acquisition. Professionally restored and ready to install.
While Jean Després is primarily celebrated for his jewelry and objets d’art, his work in lighting design is exceedingly rare and reveals the same disciplined craftsmanship and modernist ideals that defined his silversmithing. In keeping with the ethos of the UAM (Union des Artistes Modernes), Després treated functional objects as opportunities for sculpture, often incorporating signature chain motifs, geometric volumes, and contrasting metals. His lighting pieces are seldom seen and typically reserved for connoisseur collections or museum holdings, making this pair of sconces not only visually striking but also historically significant within the broader context of French Art Deco decorative arts.
