Faure, Antoine Ferdinand
Born in Marseilles in mid 19th century, he studied at the Marseilles School of fine arts and was later a pupil of Cavalier at the Ecole des Beaux arts Paris. Exhibited at the Salon from 1882 to the end of the century and specialised in genre subjects and classical bronzes, including Childhood of Bacchus. He won a third class medal and a traveling scholarship in 1893. His larger works were sculpted in marble and he was employed as a restorer of the sculpture in the Court of Honour at the Palace of Versailles in 1888. Many of his works were designed as decorative pieces for the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, inaugurated in 1897.
Fayral
Fayral was a pseudonym used by Pierre Le Faguays. Fayral and Guerbe were both the family names for his Mother and his Wife. Le Faguays was born in Nantes, France and became famous for the originality he gave his dancers, many of which were inspired by the statues of Tanagra. He gained a medal of honour for his work in 1927. He was a best friend of Max Le Verrier and the Le Verrier foundry made most – if not all of his pieces.
His wife’s name was Raymonde Guerbe Le Faguays and she signed her sculpture Guerbe. I now own the transfer of ownership documents from both Guerbe and Le Faguays where they signed over the ownership of their sculptures to Le Verrier. He signed his non-bronze pieces Fayral and she signed her non-bronze pieces Guerbe.
Felten, Major
Also known as Felton, was Richard Felten and American artist and illustrator born in 1904, he produced many stunning art deco posters between 1930 – 1950.
Focht, Frederic (1879 – 1937)
French art deco sculptor worked mainly in bronze. He studied under the celebrated sculptor Falguiere. His remarkable talent was recognised early in his career, exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français and winning the coveted Medal of Honour in 1900 at the age of only 21.
Focht made some of the most striking bronzes of the 1920s and 1930s most with a flying theme and some with airplanes and some with space rockets. Also producing bronze sports panels of cyclists and swimmers. His work is now highly sought after worldwide due to the high quality of his creations. He was also an opera singer.
Follot, Paul (1877 – 1941)
French textiles, furniture and interior designer. Regarded by many as one of the pioneers of top art deco style. Director of the Pomone studio part of the Au Bon Marche store in 1923. Later joined Waring and Gillow in Paris in 1928. In 1931 became a freelance decorator and designer. His work is highly sought after world wide and commands high prices.
Fontinelle, Louis (1886 – 1964)
French artist and sculptor who produced spelter, bronze, ceramic and craquelier pieces during the art deco period.
Foretay, Alfred Jean
Born January 1861 in Morges, Switzerland. He studied under Falguiere, exhibiting portraits, busts and statues at various Salons. Won an honourable mention in 1891 along with a 3rd class medal in 1904. Produced mainly Nouveau style statues in bronze or spelter.
Fornells, Edouard (1887 – 1942)
Barcelona born designer who moved to Paris in 1909 and worked with Rene Lalique from 1911. In 1913 Fornells set up his own studio where he began experimenting with cellulose acetate plastics. In addition to supplying plastic boxes to Lalique, he worked closely with the perfume and cosmetics industry, creating plastic packaging for well-known companies such as Roger et Gallet, Worth, and Parfumerie d’Orsay.
He designed bottles in glass and also many bakelite items, mainly for perfume companies. Lalique was responsible for many of the Fornells box designs and I believe they worked in conjunction with each other.
One of the first plastics manufactured was cellulose nitrate (also known as Celluloid), which was discovered in 1856 and refined in 1877. Made from chemically treated cotton, the material could be easily moulded into a wide range of shapes, from billiard balls to false teeth, and could replicate tortoiseshell, ivory, or horn. It was also used in flexible transparent sheets for photographic negatives and movie film. Its disadvantages included yellowing, cracking, and inflammability. Experimentation led to the invention of a nonflammable cotton-based synthetic plastic called cellulose acetate in the early twentieth century.
Marketed under a variety of brand names, including Sicoid, it was tough, had a rich gloss, high transparency, and a good feel, making it desirable for precious handheld objects such as boxes, dressing table sets compacts etc. Famous for his stylised foliage patterns. His items were displayed at the top Salons and the Decorative Arts Exhibition of 1925. His items are now highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
Fraisse, Edouard (1880 – 1945)
Born in Beaune France the 14th of May 1880 died in Paris 13rd of September 1945. Pupil of Coutan, Chaplain and Vernon. Since 1904 he exhibited at the Salon of the Societe des Artistes Francais. In 1908 Fraisse competed for the Prix de Rome for which he received a second prize award. In 1929 he was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. In 1937 he received a gold medal.
Francisque
20th century sculptor working in bronze during the 1920’s, based in Marseille.
Franjou (1832 – 1927)
I do not have any information on Franjou but it is my opinion that there was a connection between Franjou and Moreau. I believe that Franjou was probably a pseudonym used by Moreau. I have had statues and figural items which are the same statue and have been signed in either name. It was not unusual for sculptors to use pseudonyms. Most of the items tend to be comical animal subjects often with celluloid cross-eyes but also produced many comical animalier statues which were used as bookends, desk tidies and lamps.
Fugere, Henry (1872 – 1944)
French statuary artist he was born in St. Mande on 7th September 1872 and died in 1944. Studied in Paris with Barrias, Cavelier, Puech.
He exhibited portraits and statues at the Salon des artistes Francais during the 1920’s.
Galle, Emile (1846 – 1904)
The other famous French glass artist. Opened a small glass factory in Nancy France in 1874. He is probably the most famous of the glass artists and was famous for cameo glass, acid etching and enamelling. His company continued on after his death until 1935.
Galle was the principal force in a group of French Art Nouveau artists and designers working in and around Nancy. On his initiative in c1890 they formed a school. Members included the Daum brothers and Louis Majorelle. He is well known for his hand made high quality furniture and exquisite glassware.
Galle, Jean Joseph (b.1884)
Born in Rennes, he studied under Coutan and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais. He produced a number of monuments and statues and specialised in portrait busts and medallions.
Gallo, Ignacio (1887 – 1956)
Born in Valladolid, Spain in the 19th century. He worked mainly in bronze from 1910 to 1935 specialising in statuettes of bathers, dancers, nudes and pagan goddesses.
I believe his main foundry was Marcel Guillemard.
Gancheff – Ganu
Bulgarian born who exhibited at the Paris Salon of Socite des artistes Francais in 1930. He worked in bronze and bronze and ivory, I believe his statues were produced by the Goldscheider foundry.
Gerdago – Gottstein, Gerda (1906 – 2004)
Born Gerda Gottstein in Vienna. She studied art in Berlin and later in Paris and worked for Oskar Strnad who was an architect and film set designer. Gerdago was a pseudonym made of the letters of her real name.
In the 1930s she was a costume designer for theatrical performances and films. She was jewish and her parents were gassed in Auschwith in 1944, she escaped as she had married a non jew. Her Art Deco sculptural items were made by the Austrian company of Arthur Rubinstein.
Mystery regarding whether the statues were made by her or by the Austrian artists Karl Perl and Theodore Ullmann who worked for the Rubinstein company. These two artist were also known to have worked with Gerdago.
Most of her pieces were produced in bronze and ivory and wore futuristic and extravagant costumes in bright enamel colouring. She was 97 when she died. Her work is now highly sought after and commands high prices.
Gauthier, Joseph
Born Carcassone early 20th century, exhibited sculpture items in the Paris salons during the 1920’s.
Gennerrelli, Amadee
Born in Naples in 1891. Many believe his name to have been Amadeo but it was not, it was Amadee. I have gained this information from some Interior design magazines that I have dating from the 1920’s. It would appear that he did not go to an Art School but was an apprentice of Francesco Jerace – it was during this time that he gained his notoriety.
He produced many bronzes and terracotta’s some of which were retailed through Alfred Dunhill 15 Rue de la Paix Paris. Dunhill also had branches in London and New York. Many of Gennerrelli’s terracotta’s were made using the lost wax method and limited to only 10 copies of each. His work is highly collectible today and admired for the quality of workmanship.
Gilbert, Alfred (1854 – 1934)
Born in London in 1854. Most famous work is Eros in London’s Trafalgar Square. He died in 1934. Having been made bankrupt in 1903 and resigned from the Royal Academy moving to Brussels where he sculpted various commercially successful Art Deco female statues until 1926. He was readmitted to the Royal Academy in 1932 and received a knighthood in the same year.
Gilbert, Andre
A French artist working mainly in bronze and bronze and ivory. Born in Pontoise – he created statues that were produced by L.N. de J. Lehmann and by the Etling foundry. Most subjects were of Pierrot’s and Columbines.
Godard, Armand
French impressionist and modernist sculptor worked during the 1920s and 1930s deco years. Working in various materials including spelter, bronze, chryselaphantine (bronze and ivory) and ceramics. Most of the ceramics were produced by the French company Aladin. Most of his bronzes were produced by the Edmond Etling foundry in Paris.
There is very little information available on this artist but one of his most famous pieces is the Bubble Dancer based on the actress Georgia Graves who performed with a bubble at the Folies Bergère in the 1920’s. His items are highly sought after worldwide due to the high quality of his work.
He favoured female dancing poses and many of his sculptures were based on the exotic females of the times.
In 1937 he exhibited a large plaster sculptor at the International Exhibition in Paris.
Goebels
The firm of Goebels opened in 1871 in Thuringia, Germany a town well known for its wonderful porcelain and ceramics. Franz Detleff Goebel and his son, William, began by making slate pencils and children’s marbles, eventually he went on to produce ceramics. In the early years the company concentrated mostly on dinnerware and figurines. Later on the company was taken over by Franz’s son William who had a good eye for marketing and fashion. He expanded the product line and changed the company name to W.Goebel Porzellanfabrik. William sent his young son Max Louis to America. Although he returned with many new ideas the company was badly hit by the first world war and the stock market crash and nearly went out of business.
By 1935 the firm was saved by the discovery of the artwork of a Franciscan Sister, Maria Innocentia Hummel, a gifted, academy-trained artist. Her art work of children was being printed in the form of post cards and was proving to be very popular. Goebel produced these children figures as small figurines and they sold very well and are still highly collected today.
Since the Second World War, the firm has expanded and increased production, and is now in its sixth generation of family management. The company now consists of seven firms and has over 1800 employees worldwide.
Goebel-Bieber
Ceramics company formed by Kurt Goebel and his first wife Erna Bieber. Produced statues and wall masks.
Goldscheider, Frederic
Moved from the Bohemian City of Pilsen to Vienna and in 1885 opened the famous Goldscheider factory there. Here he made a name for himself as a ceramist working in several mediums including terracotta, ceramics and bronze. He had subsidiary companies in Florence, Paris and Leipzig.
For over half a century Goldscheider created masterpieces of historical revivalism, Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) and Art Deco. He employed many famous and independent artists to create designs for him – these were to include, Josef Lorenzl, Stefan Dakon, Ida Meisinger, Prischl and the two perhaps best known Austrian ceramic artists Michael Powolny and Vally Wieselthier.
He is famous for his high quality and now very collectible Busts and wall masks. Frederic was forced to emigrate in 1938 due to war and anti-semitism. The company continued to produce items during the war but the range of models were considerably reduced.
After temporary nationalisation the firm was restored in May 1950 to its former owner Walter F. Goldscheider.
More than 9,000 different models were created over a period of three generations. Many pieces won gold medals and prizes at world fairs recognised for the exceptional quality of items.
The company closed its doors in 1953 when the old moulds were destroyed. Goldscheider figures are nowadays very much sought after by collectors world-wide and reach astonishing prices at top auction houses all over the world.
Gomme, Ebenezer (G Plan)
English furniture maker who set up his business in 1898 in High Wycombe, in Bucks. During the First World War the company was set to making DC9 aircraft but in 1922 the factory was completely gutted in a disastrous fire.
Nevertheless by 1939 it had become one of the largest manufacturers in the industry at the time. Gomme produced some extremely unusual deco furniture, mainly made of limed oak or oak painted in very brave bright colours. These deco items of furniture do not yet realise the prices that they should. Gomme’s deco items were of good quality and very stylish.
During the second world war the company helped to produce the Mosquito aircraft and the experience gained in machining and assembling wooden parts to tolerances normally associated with metal working stood the company in good stead when life eventually got back to normal in the 1950’s. Once again there was much pent up demand to supply and Donald Gomme – Ebenezer’s grandson – was able and willing to supply it.
One of his many bright ideas was to promote his products direct to the consumer – unheard of at that time for a manufacturer. And thus G Plan – the name he coined in 1953 – became the first furniture brand to be heavily promoted through advertising. In fact G Plan can lay claim to a whole series of ‘firsts’ in the world of furniture. It was the first company to introduce the concept of whole house furnishing – much boosted by significant TV advertising in the early seventies. In those heady days there was even a flagship London showroom in George Square, W1. It was also the first to introduce modular furniture: Form Five was the name of the first range, which had a base unit with a sliding door mechanism and five bookcase display elements for the tops.
G Plan was also the first to introduce flip action extending dining tables; and the first to put stops on cutlery drawers to prevent them (and their contents) from being spilled onto the floor.
In 1987 the Gomme family – major shareholders in the company, which had gone public in 1958 – decided to retire. They sold the business to the then directors, who, three years later, sold it to the Christie Tyler group of companies.
In 1996 the Morris Furniture Group acquired the licence to make and market G Plan Cabinet furniture from its state of the art facilities in Glasgow. It has since developed and extended the range into today’s highly successful collection, securing the future of the famous brand for the 21st century.
Gori, Georges
Born in Paris at the turn of the century, he studied under Injalbert and exhibited his works at the Salon des Artistes from 1929 and won a bronze medal in 1931.
Gory, Affortunato
Italian sculptor born in Florence in 1895 and died in 1925. Worked mainly in bronze or bronze and ivory but also produced a few spelter pieces. Exhibited in Paris.
Goupy, Marcel (1886 – 1954)
He was primarily a designer rather than a glass maker and was a student of the Decorative Arts National school of Paris. Famous as a painter, ceramist, jeweller and glass worker and decorator. He often worked in conjunction with other artists like August Helingenstein (1891 – 1976) who decorated most of the Leunne glass pieces.
From 1918 he designed a range of glassware which he hand decorated in simple designs. In 1919 he was asked to work with Georges Rouard at his shop in Paris. This is where he produced many of his amazing art deco glass ware. Rouard promoted Goupy’s work along with other glass artists such as Lalique, Maurice Marinot and Jean Luc.
Most of his art deco items are his vases and they are now extremely collectible. Many Goupy designs were actually designed by Helingenstein but signed M. Goupy. Much of his work was not signed at all.
Granger, Genevieve (1877 – 1967)
Sculptor and Ceramist, studied under Henri DUBOIS, became a member of the Society of French artists in 1899, winning a medal from them in 1927. A former member of the Salon of Artistes and decorators.
Gregoire, Emile
Specialised in genre sculpture working in Brossac France in the early 20th century. Gregoire was born in 1871, and was a French artist who studied under Dubois and Thomas. Won the Prix de Rome Medal in 1899. Famous for specialising in medals and plaques.
Grossl, Karl
Ceramist and modeller worked mainly freelance and on commission for Goldscheider, Keramia, Majolika-Fabrtik, Rorstrand and Jasba. Designed a large amount of wall masks for Keramia and Keramos. Later her became a ceramics teacher.
Grun, Samuel
Russian artist worked in London and Paris during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Exhibited at the Royal Academy and Paris Salons.
Gual, Jaume Sabartes (1881 – 1968)
Born in Barcelona, 10 June 1881, died in Paris on 13 February 1968. Spanish Catalan sculptor, poet, journalist and collector. He was a cousin of the painter Joan Miro.
Sabartes studied sculpture at the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Barcelona. Although he exhibited at the Sala Pares, Barcelona (1901), he concentrated on writing modernista poetry, though with little critical success, while frequenting intellectual gatherings at the Quatre Gats.
Through the sculptor Mateo Fernandez de Soto (b 1884) he met Picasso in 1899 and was deeply impressed, despite being the target of his ridicule. In 1901-2, like Picasso, he lived in poverty in Paris. In 1904 he turned to journalism, moving to Buenos Aires before settling in Guatemala City by 1906. He introduced local artists to contemporary European developments through gatherings at his studio, most significantly encouraging Carlos Valenti (d 1912) and Carlos Merida to move to Paris in 1912. For 30 years he maintained a correspondence with Picasso, and on returning to Europe in 1935 he was invited to become Picasso’s business secretary when the latter briefly abandoned painting in favour of automatic writing.
He managed in occupied Paris however, to have Picasso’s sculptures cast in bronze despite the military appropriation of metal. On Sabartes’s death, Picasso donated his Las Meninas series (1957) to the Museu Picasso in Barcelona in his memory.
It is known that Gual worked in the studio of Henry-Paul Rey, producing bronzes, and Gual’s association with Rey greatly benefitted Rey’s success as an artist.
Guerbe – Raymonde Guerbe Le Faguays (1894 – 1995)
Born in Paris, she was the wife of Pierre Le Faguays and and amazing artist in her own right. She created many popular sculptures including Reverie, Espana and Automne which she sold to the Le Verrier Foundry who produced them. She also used the pseudonym Andree Guerval. In 1931 her husband Pierre Le Faguays painted a portrait of her that was exhibited at the Salon d’Automne. She was also the model for many of his sculptures.
She worked in various mediums – art metal (spelter), bronze bronze and ivory and terracotta. The bronzes were produced by Les Neveux de J. Lehman, Etling Susse Freres. Her art metal pieces were produced by the Le Verrier foundry as were some of her bronzes. In the case of the pieces produced by the Le Verrier foundry, she would create the statue and sell it to the Le Verrier foundry.
I have the original receipts of sale (letters of Proprietre) from the Le Verrier archives where she signs her name as Madame Raymond Guerbe Le Faguays. She along with her husband – Pierre Le Faguays and Marcel Bouriane was best friends with Max Le Verrier.
Guerval, A
First exhibited in 1924. Her most famous work was entitled Dawn.
Guillard, Marcell (b. 1896)
Guillard produced work for the Salon of Independence. He also formed a workshop with Andre Fau in Boulogne-on-Seine, France during the 1920’s. At this time many top artistes worked for Guillard and Fau and Therse including Wuilleumier, Leyritz, Guiraud-Riviere, Martel, Tribout, Goupy and Godard. When the company folded in 1926 Guillard continued with the financial help of the Etling company.
Etling being famous in their own rights as a foundry producing bronzes, terracottas, glass and ceramic ink pots, bookends, night lights and perfume burners. Many top prolific sculptural artists already worked in conjunction with with the Etling studio, such as Becquerel, Granger, Guiraud-Riviere, Bouraine, Colinet, Le Faguays, Lucille Sevin and Demetre Chiparus to name a few.
The items produced after 1926 often bear the Etling and the Guillard foundry stamps and are sometimes also signed by the artist. These pieces are highly sought after worldwide and command high prices from collectors due to the quality and rarity of the items.
Gueron, David,
Of Turkish origin and a former soldier in the French Foreign Legion, was the founder of the “Cristalleries De Compiegne”. This glassworks mainly produced household glass in the early 1920’s. In 1926 he founded a new factory, which he called ‘Verrerie D’Art Degue’ and put all his efforts in the design and production of Art Deco luxury art-glass. His new factory was located on the “Boulevard Malesherbes” and his showroom was on the “41 rue de Paris”. His new factory mainly produced vases, lamps and chandeliers.
Guillemette l’Hoir jewellery (1976 – 1985)
Francois Schoenlaub first became aware of Galalith (or French bakelite) in 1976 when he stumbled across some art deco jewellery that was signed Auguste Bonaz.
Bonaz was a creator of chrome and galalith jewellery based in Oyonnax, Germany. The factory of Bonaz had practically ceased its production and Schoenlaub was quick to realise the potential of using the galalith as a medium to create contemporary designer jewellery.
After 14 years spent in advertising Schoenlaub was very creative and recognised its potential. He contacted a French factory which still produced galalith and set up the company GUILLEMETTE L’HOIR, PARIS (named after his companion of the time).
The company was owned and run by Francois and his sister who later set up a company called Isadora – Paris. He designed and produced his first collection of jewellery in 1976 – refined and minimalist in style and it was instantly successful. He mixed galalith with other materials – precious wood, plexiglass, horn, black rubber – each piece cut and crafted by hand and then polished.
He invented subtle ranges of colour, taking inspiration from the major creative trends of the time, notably the Memphis group, resulting in eye-catching jewellery. His items of jewellery are on show at the Museum of decorative Arts in Paris.
The business closed in 1985 and his pieces are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. You can view his website at www.schoenlaub-galalith.com and also check out www.guillemette-lhoir.com
Hagenauer
Austria and its cultural centre of Vienna has produced some amazing bronze artists. Lorenzl, Baller, Bosse and Hagenauer who between them produced some wonderful decorative accessories and sculptural items during the Deco years.
The firm of Hagenauer was first started in 1898 by Carl Hagenauer (1872 – 1928) and produced items designed by Hagenauer and many other artists including Josef Hoffman and the Wiener Werkstatte.
Carl Hagenauer was an apprentice Goldsmith for Austrian Jewellery firms. The firm of Hagenauer exhibited its work at many Exhibitions in Paris, London and Berlin and its works were widely exported world wide.
The Hagenauer company was a family run business and Carls son Karl (1888-1956) joined his Father in the firm in 1919 aged 31. He contributed considerably to the firm as he was highly appraised sculpture in his own right. Other members of the family also contributed styles and techniques to the Hagenauer company.
Harders – Hans (1875 – 1955)
German statuary artist who studied in Berlin and Dresden at the Academy of Fine Arts. Worked with Rosenthal producing ceramic pieces and Maerder. His bronze and ivory and bronze pieces were produced by Preiss and Kassler who produced the Ferdinand Preiss statues.
Hatot, Leon – See ATO.
Hemming, Oliver
Producer of modernist table wear items and clocks. Born in Kenya in 1959, he spent his childhood in England. As a teenager he lived in London and went to St Paul’s school and then on to art school in Oxford and Leicester. Studying 3D Design and Silversmithing he won several design competitions including the Johnson Mathey Silver Award in 1982 and a Bursary from the Royal Society of Arts.
On graduating from college he opened his own Silversmithing studio and worked mainly on private commissions. In 1985 he started the brand Ziro, making contemporary clocks and watches. Ziro became very influential in the development of contemporary clock design and by 1995 Ziro employed about 50 people in two factories in the UK and USA, making around 350,000 pieces a year with exports to over 35 countries. The business was sold in 1998 and Oliver took the opportunity to take a 2-year sabbatical.
Now living with his family in Hong Kong, Oliver has started a new business and has put together this focused, yet diverse collection.
Working in his own factory again he exports his work all over the world and his designs are widely regarded as being distinctive, innovative and uniquely differentiated. The Oliver Hemming Difference having achieved numerous accolades for design excellence, Oliver has taken his skills in aesthetic design and product development and set-up his own factory in Donguan, China. Oliver is responsible for all elements of the design and production of his collection.
Herbst, Rene (1891 – 1982)
Pioneer of Modernism, nicknamed the man of steel. He pioneered the use of the material for furniture and other items in the 1920s – years before it was used for mass production on a large scale. He created enduring furniture of simple and functional form and elegance.
There is a collection of his work at the Library of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. This focuses on Herbst’s idea of promoting modern living. Rene Herbst studied architecture in London and Frankfurt from 1908. After finishing his studies, he travelled extensively in Russia and Italy but by 1919 Rene Herbst was again in Paris, where he started working as a furniture designer and interior decorator.
He founded Etablissements Rene Herbst to produce the pieces he designed. In 1925 Herbst designed several exhibition stalls for the Paris “Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes”.
In 1927 Herbst designed the revolutionary and functional “Chaise Sandows” seat furniture. The frames were nickel-plated tubular steel, the seat and back was made of rubber strips stretched taut and fastened to the frame by hooks at the end.
He first showed his “Chaise Sandows” at the 1929 Salon d’Automne, where Le Corbusier also presented furniture with tubular steel frames. In 1930 Herbst joined Robert Mallet-Stevens, Francis Jourdain, and others in founding the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM) – a large group of artists and designers committed to Modernism joined the co-founders.
The UAM was founded as a countermovement to Art deco, which the UAM artists repudiated because they found it overloaded with decoration and too ornamental.
In 1945 Herbst was elected chairman of the UAM gewahlt. The UAM mounted exhibitions in Paris under the heading of “Les Formes Utiles” (Utilitarian Forms).
Herbst died on 29th September 1982, by coincidence the same date that his archives – his final legacy – were entered into the Bibliotechque des Arts Decoratifs.
Hettier and Vincent
Quality French art deco glass retailers. Opened a shop in 1926 Place des Vosges Paris. Selling mainly lighting but also other glass items. Metal holders and frames were made of silvered bronze or fere forge (wrought iron). The glass used in their items was top quality and often made by Verlys, Des Hanots, Les Andeleys, Muller Freres and Baccarat. Signature is usually hard to find as it is in very small letters usually to the edge of the glass.
Hoffman, Alfred (b. 1879)
Austrian born, travelled extensively and most of his statues were of a classical theme. Worked mainly in bronze and ivory.
Hoffman, Heinrich (1875 – 1938)
One of the foremost designers of Czechoslovakian art glass in the form of scent bottles, powder boxes, atomisers, boxes and vases etc. Heinrich was the son of Franz Hoffman and came from a long family line of Bohemian glass makers.
He later worked in conjunction with his son in law Henry Schlevogt, himself a top glass artist. Both men were very successful and pioneers in unusual glass colours and styles, specialising in moulded glass. Hoffman had a glass firm in Paris and in Gablonz. Many pieces of Hoffman glass were not marked at all but those that were bore the butterfly mark.
The Hoffman company also produced glass eyes for those who lost them in the war. He pioneered the method of pressing glass in the negative from the reverse side – known as Intaglio. This method was used for scent bottle stoppers, ashtrays, pin trays trinket dishes, box lids, handles for mirrors and edges for trays.
The Hoffman firm used many top designers including – Frantisek, Adolf Becker, Alexander Pfohl and Professor Zdenek Juna. Henry Schlevogt married Hoffmans daughter who died giving birth to his daughter – Ingrid. Hoffman and Schlevogt worked together and created a new line in commemoration and they called it the Ingrid line. The firm ceased production in 1945.
Hutschenreuther, Carl Magnus (b. 1793)
Born in Thuringia, Germany, ceramics painter and decorator who founded the first porcelain studio in Bavaria producing excellent quality ceramics using kaolin in 1814 while just 21 years old. He opened a second factory in 1857 in Selb, (home of Rosenthal), and with his son Lorenz taking charge, started producing stunning quality ceramics at both sites using models created and decorated by brilliant artists such as Werner, Fritz, Defanti, Tutter and numerous others.
In 1969 both factories joined under the name of Hutschenreuther AG, in Selb, where quality ceramics are still being produced.
Ingels, Domien (1881 – 1946)
Born in Gent Belgium, Exhibited at Academy Des Beaux Arts in Gent, where he later became a teacher. A Sculptor who worked in many mediums including wood, plaster, terracotta and metal. He excelled in Animal subjects, Busts, wall Plaques and was responsible for several Monuments in Antwerp.
In 1930 he opened a business producing wall plaques and masks in Drongen, Belgium. He showed these at the Exposition International des Arts and Techniques in Paris in 1937.
Jaeger, Gotthilf (b. 1871)
Born on 29th June 1871 in Austria, he studied at the schools of arts and crafts in Iserlohn and Karlsruhe, at the Karlsruhe academy and at the Stadel Institute in Frankfurt and Main before going on to live and work in Berlin. Where he produced his works in bronze and ivory.
Jacquemin, Jean (1894 – 1941)
French sculptural artist. It is not known for sure if this was the person or a firm Jacquemin et Bleriot in Paris. Mainly sports related subjects like skiers and skaters.
Janle
Janle was one of the sculptors whose work was produced by the Le Verrier foundry, Paris during the 1920’s. Pieces were produced in spelter, pewter and bronze.
JMP
The French company JMP has made jewellery for numerous couture designers including Christian Lacroix’s, Dior and Chanel.
Jacques, Felix (1897 – 1966)
French sculptor, career currently unknown although he seems to have produced some religious items including crucifix, plaques and statues during the deco period and has links to Brussels – possibly a foundry which produced his work for a time.
Joma
A French glass factory, dates unknown, but they were definitely very busy during the 1920’s – 1930’s. It was during these years that the many hand painted enamel vases and other items were produced. Mostly in bright Deco geometric or floral designs.
The company also produced press-moulded vases which are usually signed Joma Fabrications Francaise.
Jonette Jewellery
The Jonette Jewellery Company, was set up by a couple called by John and Etta, hence the name Jonette. It was based in Rhode Island, USA and started business in the 1920’s making humorous and unusual jewellery to suit all tastes. I have included many of their items on my websites as I think the quality is excellent and the ideas, many of which are Deco themed – are very innovative. All brooches are fitted with a safety clasp, signed JJ and some are very large in size, making a very big Deco statement at an affordable price.
Jorel, Alfred
Worked in Paris as a genre sculptor and died there in 1927. Was an Associate of the Artistes Francais in 1896 and 1927 just before his death he was awarded a third class medal in 1907.
Jouanneault, Albert Constant (1888 – 1944)
French, born June 9th 1888 in Saumur where there is street named after him. Fought in the first world war and was commissioned to design numerous war memorials in the inter war years. During the second world war he became Director of Office for Food and joined the Saumur Resistance movement for whom he produced fake ration cards. He was arrested during a raid in September 1943 and deported to Buchenwald where he died in 1944.