Ceramics & Glass
Daum Nancy and Katona Art Deco Table Lamp, France, circa 1925
Daum Nancy and Katona Art Deco Table Lamp, France, circa 1925
This exceptional Art Deco table lamp brings together two significant names in French decorative arts. The molded and acid etched glass shade is signed Daum Nancy France, while the sculptural wrought iron base bears the signature Katona. The result is a sophisticated marriage of master glassmaking and architectural ironwork, emblematic of the finest French Art Deco interiors of the mid 1920s.
The Daum shade displays a refined geometric and stylized foliate motif. The design language reflects the transition from late Art Nouveau naturalism into the more disciplined geometry of early Art Deco, a period in which Daum remained at the forefront of innovation in art glass.
The base, signed Katona, is equally compelling. Executed in deeply worked iron with vertical ribbing and stylized ornament, it possesses a structural authority reminiscent of the great French decorative metal ateliers of the period. Katona’s work is associated with the high level iron craftsmanship that accompanied leading French designers and architects in creating cohesive interiors, where lighting was conceived as an integrated architectural element rather than a mere accessory.
Together, these two signatures represent a collaboration of material excellence. Daum Nancy, internationally celebrated for its pioneering glass techniques, and Katona, known for distinctive iron forms, combine here to create a lamp that is both sculptural and functional.
The proportions are balanced and architectural, making this lamp suitable for placement on a console, side table, or desk within a serious Art Deco interior. The interplay between the luminous etched glass and the dark, weighty iron base creates a dramatic contrast that embodies modern elegance.
