This beautiful and rare original French Art Deco chrome and ceramic uplight floor lamp or torchère (torchiere) was designed by Henri Chaumeil (1877-1944). It features a tall chromed metal base with three hexagonal poles and a faceted base in shiny chrome and black finish patina. The top of the torchiere has a tall ceramic tulip-shaped shade in green celadon finish glaze with dimensional black ring handles. The inside of the shade has a glossy white glaze finish. Two heavy and thick glass slabs with a faceted design are inserted between the ceramic lampshade and the chrome base.
The signature monogram of Henri Chaumeil is visible by the transparency underside of the ceramic shade. The floor lamp was rewired to fit US standards.
Measurements: The floor lamp's total high is 67 in. (170 cm) - The base is 14 in. diameter (35.5 cm) - The ceramic shade alone is 9.44 in. diameter (24 cm) x 14 in. high (35.5 cm).About:
Henri Chaumeil (1877-1944), France.
Trained by his father Aristide he exhibited his works shortly before 1914 at the Salon des Artistes Indépendants. After working during the war in a factory of fire ceramics, he settled down in Moret-sur-Loing and returned to Paris, where he studied at l'Ecole des Arts Décoratifs. Henri Chaumeil took part in the Salon d'Automne and the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, and his fame keeps growing. With the help of his son Paul (1902-1984),
he achieves an ornamental and utilitarian porcelain style of high quality, thus confirming his perfect mastery of "petit feu ceramics."
In the "petit feu ceramics," the metal oxides, mixed with fluxing agents, are placed on an enameled earthenware already cooked, which makes it possible to cook the colors at a lower temperature and to obtain nuanced tones which would otherwise burn like roses, gold, or pale green. This decorating technique was used first in Strasbourg, France, in 1749, and most of the earthenware factories in Europe did the same afterward.
Henri Chaumeil Art Deco Ceramic and Chrome Uplight Floor Lamp Torchère, 1930s
circa 1930