Art Deco 'Le Verre Français' Hanging Light

Designed by Charles Schneider for Scheider Glass Works, France, circa 1920

Cameo glass with patinated wrought iron fittings, etched to shade LE VERRE FRANCAIS

Known as Cameo glass, the surface is acid-etched and decorated with stylised floral patterns. Blow moulded in layers of red and white glass, the glass is then etched with hydrofluoric acid, with the vessel's glass ground having been given a matt semi-opaque finish, showing pale mottled pink and blue. Decorative areas, which were kept in reserve and not exposed to the acid, stand out in relief and have been highly polished.
Inspired by cherry trees, these berry-shaped leaves branch down from the central stem.

The carving or etching through of fused coloured glass is known as 'cameo glass', after a Roman technique for engraving glass vessels and semi-precious gemstones that was developed in the 1st century.

As for style, though heavily borrowing from nature, the Schneider brothers were already creating a new aesthetic with more firm lines and clear colours, with more characteristics of Art Deco than of Art Nouveau