Maison Charles table lamp in chrome and gilt bronze with rose, France, 1970s

This table lamp was designed by Maison Charles in France during the 1970s, built on a rectangular polished chrome structure that rests on a narrow rectangular base. A gilt bronze rose, modelled in full relief with a curved bud and a group of leaves with marked veins, rises next to the brass rod that runs through the centre of the frame and continues up to the black lamp holder. The contrast between the polished chrome structure and the warm gilt bronze sculpture gives the piece a sculptural, almost architectural presence, rather than that of a conventional lamp base. The central rectangular opening allows light and reflections to pass through the frame, so the piece is well appreciated from various angles on a console or sideboard. Maison Charles was known during the 1960s and 1970s for lighting that treated the base as a sculpture in itself, with organic motifs such as flowers, animals and plant forms made in bronze on polished or lacquered metal surfaces. This lamp base follows the same language, combining a naturalistic rose with a strict geometric frame. Its size is suitable for a console table, bedside table or desk, and works both in a living room and in a hallway, where its sculptural silhouette can stand out on its own. The shade is not included. Condition: Slight spots of rust.