Pair of French Art Deco Moulded & Frosted “Skyscraper” Glass Wall Appliqués Light Sconces in the Manner of Marius-Ernest Sabino, c.1930
Description
A striking pair of French Art Deco moulded and frosted glass sconce wall light shades, circa 1930. Each shade is conceived as a miniature architectural faēade: a tall central panel flanked by stepped, tiered “wings” which create a strong, three-dimensional skyscraper profile.
They are crafted from heavy, moulded (pressed) glass, giving real substance and crisp definition to the relief work. The surface has a frosted, almost satin finish, achieved by acid-etching or sandblasting. This treatment gently softens the planes of the design, diffusing the light emitted from within and throwing a smooth, even glow across the wall, while the raised motifs remain slightly clearer. When lit, those clearer high points act almost like facets, catching and refracting the light to emphasise the sculptural modelling of the glass.
From the front,
... the design reads as a series of overlapping rectilinear planes, rising and falling in shallow terraces like a ziggurat. From the side, the staggered blocks and cantilevered upper section give a crisp, layered silhouette that projects elegantly from the wall. Within this framework, bold radiating sunburst rays slice diagonally across the surface, intersected by zig-zag and fan motifs in high relief.
The shades retain their four original brass support fixings – simple period bent brass wall brackets – which hold each piece slightly off the wall so they read as small illuminated architectural panels rather than conventional sconces. The powerful geometry, stepped skyscraper outline and dynamic rays are very much in the manner of Marius-Ernest Sabino’s moulded-glass lighting, and closely comparable in idiom to designs by Établissements Jean Gauthier (EJG / Ezan) and Verreries des Hanots. Unsigned, however, the quality, weight and design vocabulary are entirely consistent with French Art Deco glass of the interwar years.
About Sabino
Marius-Ernest Sabino (1878–1961) was one of the leading French Art Deco glassmakers. Sicilian-born and Paris-trained, he studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs and the Beaux-Arts before founding his own glassworks in Paris, specialising in thick press-moulded and often opalescent glass for lighting, vases and figural pieces.
Sabino’s output is characterised by rich relief work, strong geometric silhouettes and dramatic rays or radiating motifs, especially in wall lights, plafonniers and chandeliers. Many designs use heavy moulded glass with satin or opalescent finishes that come alive when lit, making his pieces highly sought after by collectors today.
While this pair is not signed and cannot be attributed to his workshop, the stepped skyscraper form, radiating sunbursts and use of heavy moulded glass with a satin finish place them firmly in the same design language – hence the description “in the manner of Sabino”.
Provenance
From the collection of the late Philip Clarkson (1949–2025), graphic designer, photographer and noted collector of 20th-century design and popular culture, sold through a notable auction house near Chester and curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Historical context
By the late 1920s and early 1930s, Art Deco had become the dominant modern style in architecture, interiors and decorative arts, with Paris as one of its key centres. The 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris helped launch the new look internationally: streamlined forms, bold geometry, stylised rays and zig-zags, often combined with luxurious materials and dramatic lighting.
Advances in pressed- and moulded-glass technology during the interwar years allowed French factories to produce thick, sculptural shades at scale. These new techniques aligned perfectly with the machine-age aest
Delivery shipping information
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD ship worldwide, using fully insured and online tracked delivery services like DHL, DPD, Parcelforce or Fedex also the British Shop. We offer Free national Delivery to England mainland, Wales mainland & Scottish lowland mainland areas only.
We offer Free UK mainland delivery only, international shipping to USA, Canada, Europe. All other countries rest of the world please get in touch for a shipping quote.
Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art & Antique pieces which we sell.
We bespoke pack & wrap extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in great as described condition.
For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items which can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approximate. 2-5 working days for the United Kingdom mainland & International delivery between 5-14 working days.
Returns Policy
We offer a 14-day money-back refund policy
(excluding the cost of Postage & Packaging costs & any duties, taxes customs charges paid on buyers behalf or buy the buyer direct ).
CONTACT US:
Please feel free to call us.
We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.
Tel: 07494763382
Outside the UK:
Phone or text: 0044 7494763382
PAYMENT:
Our primary payment method is by (BACS) & International bank wire transfer, we can email you an invoice with our banking details upon request. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance charges and any other customs charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Internal Reference: 756
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1182376
Dateline of this antique is 1930
Height is 26cm (10.2inches)Width is 26.3cm (10.4inches)Depth is 10cm (3.9inches)
Your credit card is processed securely by Stripe Inc. 
Thank you.
Your comment has been sent to Sellingantiques.