Designer, artist and architect Eileen Gray was one of the most fascinating creative figures of the 20th century. Her body of work includes lustrous lacquered pieces — her Dragons chair set an auction record for modern furniture ($28 million) at the 2009 sale of the Yves Saint Laurent estate — and sleek chrome furnishings that rival the work of Le Corbusier and the members of the Bauhaus as exemplars of pure, modernist design.
The independent and unconventional daughter of Irish landed gentry, Gray studied painting at London’s Slade School of Fine Art in her early twenties before moving to Paris in 1906 to pursue her artistic dreams. Gray had become captivated by lacquerware after seeing an exhibit in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and in Paris persuaded an expatriate Japanese master of the painstaking process, Seizo Sugawara, to teach her. Within a few years, Gray had become known among the cognoscenti for her sculptural lacquered furnishings, which she incorporated into the homes of interior design clients.
Gray was ever evolving as a designer. By the early 1920s she was creating geometric works that embodied the essence of Art Deco and the nascent modernist design movement. Some pieces — such as her Bricks screen, an assemblage of pivoting rectangular panels — employ the planar forms favored by Gerrit Rietveld and other De Stijl architects of the Netherlands. Others feature the tubular chrome framing used by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. These include the Bibendum chair — named for the resemblance of its semicircular back and armrest to the character known in English as the Michelin Man — and the adjustable E 1027 side table, conceived in 1927 for the interiors of a stark white villa she designed for herself in the South of France.
Never a self-promoter, Gray drifted out of the limelight in the 1930s. Interest in her work was revived in the early ’70s, however, when the estates of her early clients came to auction. Her original lacquer pieces are the most coveted, but, as the sale of the Dragons chair shows, are rare and extremely expensive.
None of Gray’s designs were made in large numbers until, a few years before her death, she granted a production license. These pieces range in price from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on furniture type and condition. Gray’s work has become iconic of practical and elegant modernist design. Yet, as you will see on 1stDibs, many of her creations have a simplicity that makes them welcome even in a traditional setting.
Art Deco Large Iconic Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb over size...
Metal
$1,676 / item
ClassiCon Tube Light Floor Lamp by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
NON-dimmable EXTRA charge for dimmable version. Floor lamp by Eileen Gray. Chrome-plated tubular steel with black plastic lamp socket for mounting light source. Floor plate chrome-plated metal with push-button switch. Felt gliders. Light tube included. Light tube: LED linear lamp...
Steel
Art Deco Iconic Large Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom ...
Metal
ClassiCon Tube Light Floor Lamp by Eileen Gray in STOCK
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
NON-dimmable Floor lamp by Eileen Gray. Chrome-plated tubular steel with black plastic lamp socket for mounting light source. Floor plate chrome-plated metal with push-button switc...
Steel
Art Deco Iconic Large Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom ...
Metal
$1,184Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.31 in W 16.54 in D 43.31 in
Lumina Flo Floor Lamp in Black by Foster+Partners in STOCK
By Foster+Partners, Lumina
Located in New York, NY
LED lights for floor, in varnish coated aluminum and steel. Its head rotates by 300° for direct lighting, the arm pivots on the base by 120°. 6W-LED which you can switch on with one ...
Aluminum
$900Sale Price / set|64% Off
H 20.87 in Dm 12.6 in
Set of Three ClassiCon Bell Pendant Lamps Copper Top by Sebastian Herkner STOCK
By Sebastian Herkner
Located in New York, NY
ClassiCon bell lamps with shade copper top White share 32CM D x 53CM H Sebastian Herkner BRAND NEW SHADES
Copper
Art Deco Bakelite Eileen Gray Table Lamp for Jumo, France 1940
By Maison Jumo
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Eileen Gray Table Lamp for Jumo rare orignal patinated lacquer, not repainted! rewired.
Metal
VeniceM Chic Floor Light in Glass by Massimo Tonetto
By Massimo Tonetto, VeniceM
Located in Mogliano Veneto, TV
Floor lamp with diffused light. Dark bronze striped structure and crystal, amber or smoke grey Murano blown glass trihedrons. Specifications: Function: Floor Location: Interior...
Glass
$1,040
H 74.4 in W 23.6 in D 23.6 in
Flos Luminator Floor Lamp in Light Blue with Iron and Metal Frame
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Luminator Floor Lamp in Light Blue with Iron and Metal Frame by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Floor lamp providing indirect light. Bulb w...
Iron
VeniceM Zoe Floor Light by Massimo Tonetto
By Massimo Tonetto, VeniceM
Located in Mogliano Veneto, TV
Floor lamp with diffused light. Matte or polished black nickel, polished gold, polished chrome or light burnished brass structure and white Murano blown glass diffusers. Polished black nickel, polished gold or polished chrome metal spheres...
Metal
$1,078
H 16.15 in W 17.33 in D 5.91 in
Eileen Gray No.71 Desk Lamp by Jumo, Chrome & Metal, France, 1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Eileen Gray No.71 Lamp by Jumo. This lamp showcases the minimalist, functional elegance typical of Gray. Sleek lines and adjustable elements reflecting her modernist approach blendin...
Chrome, Sheet Metal
Art Deco Brass Table/ Desk Lamp, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Big elegant desk lamp with two sockets All components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Brass
Cometa Floor Lamp in Gold Fractale by Radar
Located in Geneve, CH
Cometa floor lamp by Radar (Handmade). Design: Bastien Taillard Materials: Thermoformed gold glass, matt black metal structure. Dimensions: D 40, H 160cm. Also Available: Fract...
Metal
$1,494
H 15.75 in W 17.33 in D 9.85 in
Vintage Industrial Modernist 'Model 71' Eileen Gray Jumo Desk Lamp c.1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in London, GB
A well proportioned 'Model 71' desk lamp designed by Elieen Gray for Jumo. c.1930. Ahead of its time in terms of design - constructed from tubular steel with the original gold paint...
Steel
$739
H 15.36 in Dm 9.65 in
Le Chevallier Art Deco Table Lamp in Chrome, Bakelite and Opaline Glass, 1930s
By Jacques Le Chevallier
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful and incredibly unique Art Deco Table Lamp in chromed metal, black bakelite and opaline glass designed by Jacques Le Chevallier in Fran...
Metal, Chrome
$4,976Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
"Pair of Classic Art Deco Woka Desk Lamps, Nickle Plated, 1930s Design"
By Woka Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of handmade Classic Art Deco nickel plated Woka desk lamp with Diffuser, Hardwired, On / Off Switch on the lamp base Max 1 x 60W. Base: 8" Diameter
Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel, Nickel
French Art Deco 1930s Torchiere Ceramic Table Lamp
By Jean Besnard
Located in New York, NY
An original 1930s French Art Deco uplight ceramic table lamp made in the Crispe coral like style of the artist Jean Besnard. Rewired with a standard 200 watt socket.
Ceramic
$4,200 / item
H 73 in W 4.5 in D 39 in
In Stock Bow Floor Lamp in Blackened Steel and Hand Blown Glass, Estudio Persona
By Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bow Floor Lamp draws inspiration from artistic interpretations of Georgian letterforms. These forms, though arbitrary, offer a study of light's interplay...
Steel
Vintage Tube Light Floor Lamp by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Weesp, NL
Design Icon: The Tube Light Floor Lamp by Eileen Gray for ClassiCon Minimalism meets modernism in the timeless Tube Light Floor Lamp, a sculptural statement piece designed by Eileen...
Chrome
Sold
H 18.9 in Dm 11.82 in
Art Deco Iconic Large Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom ...
Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in Dm 11.82 in
Art Deco Iconic Large Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom ...
Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in Dm 11.82 in
Art Deco Iconic Large Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom ...
Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in Dm 11.82 in
Art Deco Iconic Large Bakelite Desk Table Lamp by Eileen Gray, France, C1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930's this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom ...
Metal
Italian Space Steel Tube Light Floor Lamp by Eileen Gray for Alivar, 1970s
By Eileen Gray, Alivar
Located in MIlano, IT
Modern production, space age, minimalist and beauty tubular steel and neon Tube Light floor lamp by the genius Eileen Gray for Alivar, 1970s. Floor lamp, Tube Light model, in tubula...
Steel
Eillen Gray Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp, France 1950
By Eileen Gray
Located in Paris, FR
Very stylish French Mid-Century Modern table lamp of the 50’s design by Eileen Gray in aviation style chrome metal and covered In lézard style. The reflector can bend and rotate for ...
Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Large Art Deco Bakelite Table Lamp by Eileen Gray for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930s-1940s this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mush...
Metal
ClassiCon REPLACEMENT BULB TUBE LIGHT
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Light tube: LED linear lamp 13.5 W / 110 V 900LM / 2700K Energy class A Dimensions: H 104 cm.
Glass
Large Art Deco Bakelite Table Lamp for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Usually found in the brown or black bakel...
Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Large Art Deco Bakelite Table Lamp by Eileen Gray for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930s-1940s this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mush...
Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Large Art Deco Bakelite Table Lamp by Eileen Gray for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930s-1940s this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mush...
Metal
Large Art Deco Bakelite Table Lamp by Eileen Gray for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930s this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mushroom s...
Metal
Iconic Eileen Gray Table Lamp by Jumo, circa 1950
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Iconic Eileen Gray design classic table or desk lamp produced by Jumo, France. These lamps so rarely come onto the market, they truly are a collectors item. Modernist, elegant and functional with elements of Art Deco. This iconic lamp is constructed in pale gray, almost white lacquered folded sheet metal resting on a circular chromed and enamelled metal base. Circular metal lampshade with diffuser in white perspex with a switch to the base. This stylish Eileen Gray table lamp was made in France in the 1940s through to the 1950s and was named model "MERMAID", this model is without the central metal plaque. So impressive when switched on the whole white perspex illuminates a radiant white glow. Bio Designer, artist and architect Eileen Gray was one of the most creative figures of the 20th century. Her work includes lustrous lacquered pieces, her Dragons chair set an auction record for modern furniture ($28 million) at the 2009 sale of the Yves Saint Laurent estate...
Enamel, Cut Steel
Iconic Eileen Gray Mermaid Table Lamp by Jumo, circa 1940s
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Iconic Eileen Gray design classic table or desk lamp produced by Jumo, France. These lamps so rarely come onto the market, this is the second one we've had in as many years, they truly are a collectors item. Modernist, elegant and functional with elements of Art Deco. This iconic lamp is constructed in grey lacquered folded sheet metal resting on a circular chromed and enamelled metal base. Circular metal lampshade with diffuser in white perspex with a switch to the base. This stylish Eileen Gray table lamp was made in France in the 40's through to the early 1950s and was named model "MERMAID". So impressive when switched on the whole white perspex illuminates a radiant white glow. Bio Designer, artist and architect Eileen Gray was one of the most creative figures of the 20th century. Her work includes lustrous lacquered pieces, her Dragons chair set an auction record for modern furniture ($28 million) at the 2009 sale of the Yves Saint Laurent estate...
Steel, Enamel
Large Art Deco Bakelite Table Lamp by Eileen Gray for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray
Located in Devon, England
Designed by Eileen Gray for the French Jumo company and dating to the 1930s-1940s this very stylish lamp is made from two primary components which are bakelite and metal. Superb mush...
Metal
