Art Deco Light Statue by Max Le Verrier Iconic Clarte Large Rare Vintage Model

Art Deco Light Statue by Max Le Verrier called Clarte. Signed and original, this rare statue was designed in 1928 by the famous French artist Max Le Verrier. It also has the Le Verrier foundry stamp next to his name. This piece has a very unique special glass connection; it screws into place with a fitted glass addition and threaded connection as part of the socket connection. This makes this Clarte the rarest version we have seen in over 30 years. The condition is immaculate, and the verdigris patina is near perfect.

Le Verrier is one of the greatest sculptors of the ART DECO era. The sculpture offered here is his most renowned creation. This famous piece is named “Clarté,” the nude lady lamp, which came in 4 sizes – the largest being life-sized (The large one can be seen in the Lutetia Hotel lobby in Paris). This one stands approximately 21.5″ T to the head and 26″ T to the original top of the “brain glass,” with her arms extending to 14″. Also, she is standing on the original stepped black marble base. This is an original piece, not a later reproduction or copy.  (The family still owns the original molds, and they are making some of Le Verrier’s statue designs, which can be found from time to time in the market)—completed from a quality rarely found in this kind of production. It is immaculate, with an original-style cloth wire cord, switch, and plug.

About Max Le Verrier:
Max le Verrier was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, in 1891. From an early age, he showed great promise as an artist and sculptor, and after serving in the French army during World War I, he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. During his studies in Switzerland, he met fellow sculptors Pierre le Faguays and Marcel Bouraine, who became close friends with whom he collaborated for much of his life.

Upon completing his studies, Le Verrier returned to France in 1919 and founded his own studio in Paris. At this time, he created his first populated sculpture, the famous Pelican, which was the first of a long line of animal figures that bore his name. Le Verrier was awarded a Gold medal for his sculptures at the 1925 P l’Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels.In 1926 Le Verrier opened his own foundry, casting pieces for a wide range of French sculptors of the period, including Pierre Le Faguays, Marcel Bourain, Janle, Denis, and Charles. From the outset, he gained a reputation for the very high-quality work, exceptional detailing, and accuracy of his firm’s items. Interestingly, the foundry was not cast in bronze as is commonly assumed because Le Verrier felt that he could achieve better detail by using his own proprietary mix of metals.

At the same time as running his foundry, le Verrier continued to sculpt his own creations, and in the 1920′s, he became famous for his studies of women as part of the Art Deco era’s fascination with the ideal female form. His female figures are characterized by a lithe athleticism and perfect symmetry and are highly regarded and much sought after. Le Verrier continued working throughout the 1930′s – receiving a medal of honor at the Paris International Exhibition in 1937 – before being arrested in 1944 for his resistance activities against the Nazi-backed regime. He reopened his studio after World War II and continued to sculpt until his death in 1973.