‘Les années Lumière’
A Century of Light Creations
Wednesday, March 25, 2:30pm
With the sale Les années Lumière, Tajan invites collectors on a journey into the heart of modern lighting design history, assembling a rare and discerning selection of iconic 20th-century creations.
Spanning from the functional rigor and optimism of the 1930s to the formal and chromatic audacity of postmodernism in the 1980s, the sale sheds light on a century of aesthetic and technical innovation. It charts the evolution of the major movements that shaped interior design, revealing light as a true laboratory for designers and architects.
Conceived far beyond their purely utilitarian function, the lighting fixtures presented here stand out for their sculptural power and formal inventiveness. Glass, metal, plastic, natural fibers—each material is employed in the service of a subtle quest for balance between form, function, and the diffusion of light. These pieces embody the vision of designers who succeeded in transforming everyday objects into works of art, often serving as manifestos of a modern ideal.
Each luminaire tells a story: of an era, an aesthetic movement, and a vision of living, comfort, and modernity. From industrial design and modernism to radical Italian design and the late-century avant-gardes, these objects reflect an ongoing search for harmony between technical innovation and visual emotion.
Les années Lumière thereby affirms the luminaire as a distinct artistic language, underscoring its essential role in the history of design and in the construction of our living environments.
Pierre Guariche, ‘G1’ Adjustable-Arm Pendant, 1950s
A major figure in post-war French design, Pierre Guariche designed the ‘G1’ pendant lamp as an elegant solution to the challenges of modern lighting. The work reflects a rational aesthetic devoted to visual comfort. Its refined metal structure and diffuser ensure uniform light distribution while preventing glare. The purity of its lines and balanced proportions reveal the influence of modernism and constructivist principles. Trained in applied arts, Guariche approached lighting scientifically, conceiving light as a fully fledged architectural component. The ‘G1’ pendant stands as a clear expression of this philosophy, uniting formal restraint, luminous efficiency, and enduring modernity.
Pierre Guariche (1926-1995)
‘G1’ Adjustable-Arm Pendant, circa 1955
Mathieu Matégot, ‘Santiago’ Lamp, 1950s
Hungarian-born and based in France, Mathieu Matégot revolutionized perforated sheet metal, turning it into a material both light, airy, and decorative. The ‘Santiago’ lamp showcases this skill: its precisely arranged perforations create a delicate interplay of shadow and light, transforming walls into living canvases. With its clean geometric shapes and vibrant colors—signatures of Matégot’s style—this rare lamp embodies the creative optimism of the 1950s and the era’s belief in technical and aesthetic progress. Today, it remains an iconic work, admired for its graphic daring and luminous poetry, appealing to collectors and design lovers alike.
Mathieu Matégot (1910-2001)
‘Santiago’ lamp, circa 1955
Élisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, ‘Masque’ Lamp, 1980s
The ‘Masque’ lamp by Garouste & Bonetti captures the rebellious, baroque spirit of 1980s postmodern design. Rejecting dominant minimalism, it presents a theatrical, narrative approach to the object. Inspired by tribal art, cabinets of curiosities, and performance, the lamp combines raw bronze and delicately patinated silver with exceptional craftsmanship, making each piece unique. Its stylized, enigmatic face transforms lighting into a mysterious ritual. This emblematic work reflects the 1980s’ conceptual turn, where design embraced poetic and narrative expression beyond mere functionality.
BG (E. Garouste and M. Bonetti)
‘Masque’ Hammered Bronze Lamp
Serge Mouille (1922-1988)
‘Cocotte’ lamp, circa 1958
Guillaume
Table lamp with an aluminum frame
20TH CENTURY DECORATIVE ARTS & DESIGN
Wednesday, March 25, 2:30pm
Tajan, 37 rue des Mathurins, 75008 Paris
CONTACTS
Marie-Cécile Michel – 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design Director
+33 1 53 30 30 58 – [email protected]
Ariane de Miramon – Communication, marketing & press Director
+33 1 53 30 30 68 – [email protected]