David Guéron ‘DEGUÉ’
David Guéron (1892–1950), a Turkish-born entrepreneur of Spanish Jewish descent, is best known as the visionary behind the celebrated Degué brand of French art glass. His journey to becoming a leading figure in the Art Deco movement is one marked by both personal and professional transformations. Born in Turkey, Guéron fled scandal at the age of 22 by joining the French Foreign Legion in 1914, where he was sent to fight on the Western Front during World War I. After being wounded and receiving a pension, he turned his attention to the world of glassmaking, a field that would eventually bring him significant acclaim.
In the mid-1920s, following the successful Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Guéron established his first glassworks factory in Compiègne, a town not far from Paris that had also been a significant site during the Great War. Initially focused on producing functional glassware such as tableware, his real breakthrough came in 1926 when he shifted his focus to high-end French art glass. That same year, Guéron opened the Verrerie d’Art Degué in Paris, a prestigious gallery on Boulevard Malesherbes, which showcased his remarkable glass creations under the brand name "Degué."
Guéron’s work quickly gained recognition for its innovative use of color and decorative techniques. He became known for his bold, colorful vases, lamps, and lighting fixtures, which incorporated cameo glass designs with natural motifs. His designs featured unique decorative elements such as sandblasting, enamel, engraving, and applied glass accents. Among his most popular items were his chandeliers and plaffoniers, ceiling lamps made of translucent, layered glass with intricate swirls of color. Degué glass was highly sought after by wealthy collectors in both France and the United States.
Despite his success, Guéron was not without controversy. In the late 1920s, he was accused of copying the designs of other prominent glassmakers, including Charles Schneider and Muller Frères. A six-year legal battle followed, which financially strained both Guéron's company and his competitors. However, during this time, Degué glass reached new heights of artistic fame through collaborations with talented designers like Edouard Cazaux, who contributed geometric, stylized molded glass patterns to the brand’s collections.
One of Degué’s most prestigious commissions came in the mid-1930s when Guéron's firm was tasked with creating 6,000 handcrafted glass panels for the grand French ocean liner Normandie, a symbol of France's dominance in luxury goods. These exquisite panels, featuring engraved and chiseled designs by renowned glass painter Auguste Labouret, adorned the walls of the ship's public rooms.
Unfortunately, by the late 1930s, the French glass industry was struggling due to economic hardships and labor strikes. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 forced Guéron to shut down his factories. He later fled France for the United States during the war. The grand Normandie ship met a tragic end when it caught fire and capsized in New York Harbor in 1942, though some of the stunning glass panels were salvaged and can still be admired today.
Though Guéron’s career as a glassmaker was cut short by war and financial difficulties, his work continues to be highly valued by collectors of Art Deco glass. Degué pieces, with their vibrant colors and innovative designs, remain enduring symbols of the artistic spirit of the 1920s and 1930s.
COLLECTION
This stunning signed Degué Art Deco chandelier was realized in France circa 1930. It features a circular slighly convex body with a domed body in frosted rose colored glass with cubist floral motifs (resembling stylized cherry blossoms) etched in translucent glass. The shade is secured with curvilinear oil rubbed bronze foliate supports resembling stylized leaves. The chandelier connects to the silvered bronze canopy (also with foliate motifs) via the original oil rubbed bronze chain. With its subtle palette and clean modernist lines, this chandelier would be a winning addition to any style of interior from classic Art Deco to contemporary. The chandelier accommodates three candelabra based bulbs offering up to 180 watts of light. It has been newly rewired to American standards and is in excellent vintage condition. The height can be adjusted to suit. Signed "Degué" on the shade.
France, circa 1930
Dimensions:
Height: 18 in. (45.72 cm) x Diameter: 17.5 in. (44.45 cm)
Creator: Degué (Maker)
Style: Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Oiled Bronze, Glass
Place of Origin: France
Period: 1930-1939
Date of Manufacture: circa 1930
Condition: Excellent
Reference Number: LU793424664922
This elegant Art Deco pendant was realized by the esteemed maker, Degue, in France circa 1930. The chandelier offers stylized cubist floral patters, as well as geometric motifs throughout .It is suspended by nickeled fittings and a canopy inscribed with a wealth of foliate details. With its iconically Art Deco sensibility by one of the period's great makers, this piece is sure to delight discerning collectors of the period. It's clean modernist lines and neutral palate make it as versatile as it is stunning, blending with any style of interior from classic Deco to contemporary. It accommodates four candelabra bulbs (total max wattage 240 watts) and has been newly rewired. The hanging height can be adjusted to suit. Excellent condition.
France, circa 1930
Dimensions:
Height: 19” (48 cm) x Diameter: 17.5” (44 cm)
Creator: Degué (Maker)
Style: Art Deco (of the period)
Place of origin: France
Date of manufacture: circa 1930
Period: 1930-1939
Condition: Excellent
Reference Number: f79341508052829323fs
This elegantly detailed Art Deco Molded & Frosted Floral Abstract Cubist Chandelier is Signed Degué and originates from France, Circa 1930. Features a scalloped shade adorned with beautiful geometric detailing, a balance of organic curvatures and striated linear elements that bring excellent directionality and flow within the body of the shade. The shade is affixed to the frame with three equidistantly spaced nickel fittings, suspended with three rectangular elements that rise to the canopy. The Canopy has a starburst motif of expanding linear elements ending at six points, alternating between rounded curves and curled pointed ends. This piece is beautifully tied together and balances the organic and geometric elements to great effect. Styling well in a wide array of spaces and settings, from Art Deco to Mid-Century Modernist and Contemporary Interiors. Signed Degué on the glass shade. Newly rewired to American Standards, this piece is in Excellent Vintage Condition with a height that can be adjusted to suit. Accommodates 6 European Based Bulbs offering 360 watts of light.
France, Circa 1930
Dimensions:
Height: 21 in (53.34 cm) x Diameter: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Creator: Degué (Maker)
Power Source: Hardwired
Style: Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Glass, Nickel
Place of Origin: France
Period: 1930-1939
Date of Manufacture: circa 1930
Condition: Excellent. Rewired.
Reference Number: LU793440794892