"Fern" lighting sculpture by Chrystiane Charles Maison Charles France circa 1972

Rare luminous sculpture by Chrystiane Charles for Maison Charles depicting a clump of ferns, in gilded and patinated bronze on a patinated brass base.
A light bulb is concealed behind one of the leaves.
Signed on the terrace.
Height: 48 cm (18.9 inches)
Overall widht: 28 cm (11 inches)
Overall depth: 28 cm (11 inches)
Base: 24 cm x 16 cm (9.45 inches x 6.3 inches)


Biography

Chrystiane Charles, France (1927-2013

Winner of the gold medal of the Ecole Supérieure Nationale des Beaux-arts, Chrystiane Charles is recognized as one of the most creative bronze artists and sculptors in lighting of her generation.

Born on August 2, 1927 in Pantin, she honed her talent with Gimont, Janniot and Saupique before joining the family business created in 1908 by Ernest Charles.

She was president of Charles for nearly twenty-five years (1959-1982), during which time she safeguarded the Charles spirit as artistic director.

Her artistic creations draw their unique inspiration from nature, to shed a magical light on the world of plants and flowers. Through the unique expertise of her chasers, turners and setters, Chrystiane Charles created more than three hundred models.


Story

Maison Charles

In 1908, Ernest Charles took over Maison Ullmann, bronze maker.The Charles company, then based at 103 rue de Turenne in Paris, specialized in the reproduction of old lighting fixtures, thus building a notoriety within the art bronze casting profession.

In 1920, Emile-Albert Charles, his eldest son, took over the business and in 1932, joined forces with his brother Pierre.At this time the House was called CHARLES Frères.

In 1959, Emile-Albert Charles was joined by his 2 sons: Jean, Major of the BOULLE school in the interior architecture and wood sculpture section, and Jacques, a graduate of Applied Arts in Interior Architecture.

In 1960, Emile-Albert Charles and his two sons, Jean and Jacques, created the « Charles Style » combining classicism, rigor and current events, innovative in the field of lighting and decoration.Maison CHARLES thus created the famous “Ananas”, “Epi de maïs”, “Pomme de pin”, “Lotus”, “Vase Médicis” lamps, etc., then, in 1965, the INOX and Lacquer Line.Organ pipe lamps achieved great success and became an aesthetic reference of this period.

Jean, Jacques and Emile Charles died in 1970.

In 1971 Chrystiane Charles, wife of Jean and gold medal-winning sculptor of Fine Arts, then took over as Artistic Director of Maison CHARLES.

In 1972, she offered a collection of signed and numbered sculpture lamps, contemporary in expression and inspired by nature: “Amaryllis”, “Alizée”, “Orchidée”, “Tulipes”…

Maison CHARLES was awarded the Golden Lamp at the Salon International du Luminaire in Paris for creations by Chrystiane Charles: in 1978 for the Feuille d’eau lamp and in 1981 for the Orchidée lamp.

Laurent Charles, Architect D.P.L.G. and son of Chrystiane and Jean, joined the company in 1982 and created a new range of contemporary-classic lighting fixtures, high-quality architectural lighting, born from geometric and graphic research into Light.There are models such as: “Athos”, “Archeo”, “Tenere”, “Quasar”, “Linea”…

Maison CHARLES participates in numerous competitions and trade fairs and regularly obtains and is rewarded and distinguished.

In 1988 CHARLES, Bronze d’Art moved from its premises in Montreuil and returned to Paris and in 1989, expanded its activities towards luxury hotels and large-scale catering.

In 1997, Chrystiane Charles received the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit from the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Mr. Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN.

Maison CHARLES has been opening its doors to creators for a long time.Arman, Christian Duc, Sylvain Dubuisson, Yves Sabourin, Yamo and Anne Léauté developed their creations for CHARLES.

In 2001 Maison Charles was taken over by Michael Wagner and moved to Saint-Denis, in the former Christofle workshops.