Tajan presents a major work of modernist design: Jean Luce’s Rectangle Service (1932)
For sale on June 3, 2025
JEAN LUCE (1895–1964)
Modernist tableware set, “Rectangle” model, in ivory-glazed earthenware, comprising 65 pieces
€2,500 – €3,500
Tajan is proud to present at auction a selection from the “Rectangle” tableware service designed by Jean Luce in 1932, an iconic masterpiece of the modernist movement led by the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM). This set embodies the bold spirit of an era in which design and functionality came together to redefine the art of the table. Crafted in cream-glazed earthenware, the service stands out for its refined geometric language—a subtle interplay of rectangles, squares, and circles—and its avant-garde minimalism. In line with the ideals of the UAM, it combines formal rigor with utilitarian elegance, turning everyday objects into artistic manifestos.
Founded in 1929 by leading figures such as Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, the UAM (Union des Artistes Modernes) revolutionized the applied arts by rejecting traditional ornamentation in favor of innovative, accessible, and contemporary design. Jean Luce, an active member of the movement from 1937, played a key role through his ceramic and glass creations, characterized by clean lines and geometric patterns. A collaborator of renowned interior designers such as Pierre Chareau, he also created pieces for icons of the industrial age, including the ocean liner Normandie. This exceptional and relatively complete set perfectly illustrates his mastery of modern design language in the art of the table.
“ARTS DE LA TABLE” OF THE 20th CENTURY Auction
Tuesday, June 3 at 3pm
Tajan, 37 rue des Mathurins, 75008 Paris
CONTACTS
Marie-Cécile Michel – Director, Decorative Arts & Design
+33 1 53 30 30 58 – [email protected]
Ariane de Miramon – Director, Press, Communication & Marketing
+33 1 53 30 30 68 – [email protected]