JEAN PERZEL

FOR SALE IN OUR COLLECTION

Jean Perzel was born on May 2, 1892, in Bruck, Bavaria (Germany). From a young age, he trained as a glass painter in Munich, quickly excelling in his craft. At just 16 years old, he graduated top of his class and set off on a remarkable journey across Europe on foot—traveling through Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and eventually France. Along the way, he worked in various workshops, honing his technique and mastering a wide range of traditional and modern glassmaking methods.

Perzel arrived in Paris in 1910, where he joined the atelier of a renowned master glassmaker. Within a year, he was sent to Algiers to carry out major commissions—an early testament to his skill and precision. Returning to Paris in 1914, Perzel enlisted in the French Foreign Legion at the outbreak of World War I. After being demobilized in 1919, he became a naturalized French citizen.

Following the war, Perzel resumed work as a glass painter, notably collaborating with the famed glass artist Jacques Gruber. This period laid the foundation for what would become his pioneering career in Art Deco lighting design, blending traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde aesthetics.

From 1920 to 1939, the Art Deco movement transformed 20th-century architecture and design—and it was during this golden age that Jean Perzel established his namesake company in Paris. Perzel quickly became a visionary in the world of lighting and decorative arts, creating exceptional Art Deco lighting fixtures and furniture in glass and bronze. His refined, modernist pieces illuminated some of the most prestigious interiors of the time.

Perzel's creations found their way into the homes of royalty and industrialists alike, including the Court of the King of Belgium, Henry Ford, and the Rothschild family. He was also commissioned to design lighting for major institutions and landmarks, such as the League of Nations in Geneva, the Cathedral of Luxembourg, the Canadian Embassy in The Hague, and the iconic Normandie ocean liner.

Throughout his career, Jean Perzel participated in numerous international exhibitions and design competitions, earning widespread acclaim and multiple awards. His growing reputation led to high-profile commissions for political leaders and celebrities around the world, including the King of Morocco, the King of Siam in Bangkok, the Maharaja of Indore, General Charles de Gaulle, and President Georges Pompidou.

In 1923, at the age of 31, Jean Perzel dedicated himself fully to the study of modern interior lighting and founded his own company in Paris. He established both his atelier and showroom on Rue de la Cité Universitaire, in the city’s 14th arrondissement—a location that would become synonymous with refined French lighting design.

By 1925, driven by a constant obsession with enhancing and diffusing light, Perzel began producing all of his creations in glass. He personally designed every piece, continuously seeking elegance, balance, and the purity of form. His lighting fixtures were not just functional—they were architectural elements in themselves, meticulously crafted to complement and elevate the spaces they illuminated.

With their clean lines and timeless silhouettes, Jean Perzel’s luminaires transcended fleeting trends. These are iconic Art Deco pieces that remain untouched by time, admired today as much for their craftsmanship as for their enduring modernity.

In 1933, Jean Perzel’s nephew, François Raidt, joined the company—marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the craft of fine lighting. Gifted, meticulous, and deeply dedicated, Raidt quickly became an essential creative partner. He assisted Perzel in both design and production, refining and simplifying the technical assembly of their signature Art Deco lighting fixtures without compromising on quality or elegance.

At just 18 years old, François Raidt designed a unique set of lights for Henry Ford, created to celebrate the production of Ford’s 25 millionth car. Ingeniously, these custom luminaires incorporated actual gears from the legendary automobiles—an early example of industrial-inspired design blended with high craftsmanship.

As the decades progressed, Raidt embraced the evolving aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s, creating new lighting pieces that remained true to the pure, timeless lines that defined the Jean Perzel signature. His work ensured that the brand continued to innovate while honoring its Art Deco roots, contributing to the enduring legacy of one of the most respected names in 20th-century French lighting design.