Plaster Lighting: The Giacometti Effect
Back in 2018, the ‘Lustre Avec Femme, Homme Et Oiseau’ (below left) by Alberto Giacometti, cast in bronze in 1952, and one of only three ever made, sold for more than seven and a half million pounds at Sotheby’s. Yes, that’s right, seven and a half MILLION pounds.
And this stunning plaster one (below right), sold for over two million the year before at Phillips auction house.
Images: Sotheby’s (top) Phillips (bottom)
The Swiss born artist was already regarded as a leading surrealist sculptor when he started making decorative objects and lighting to pay the bills, and it’s fair to say that his work, often finished in plaster which was once only considered an intermediate step for work to be then cast in bronze or other metals, has become extremely desirable.
Over the last few years more and more Giacometti inspired lighting has been appearing - from craftspeople using actual plaster and gesso, painstakingly building up layer upon layer on wood or metal bases, to metal lookalikes, paint effects and even papier maché.
Although it’s said that Giacometti's work was somewhat shaped by the brutal war time he lived and worked through, at face value his often primitive looking pieces are curious and whimsical and they have very much captured my heart. And as those prices demonstrate, I am clearly not alone!
We will no doubt be seeing more Giacometti homages hitting the shops over the coming years as the high-end look makes its way to the high street, but meantime I’ve put together my favourites, including THOSE flower wall lights that recently appeared in a kids bathroom designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel. Lucky, lucky, lucky kid. That’s a bathroom that transcends age and time. I know, I want it too.
Over the past several months or more, I’ve done what I seem to do best, and have gone way down a rabbit hole in the search for Giacometti inspired lighting.
1st Dibs is awash with lighting ‘in the manner of’ Giacometti if you have a spare few grand or so lying around. And even the odd original if you dare to look at the prices.
Image: 1st Dibs
Then there’s the clever clever plaster masters like Australian based Anna Charlesworth….
Image: Anna Charlesworth
US based Stephen Antonson, and Paris based Philippe Anthonioz who all do incredible Giacometti inspired pieces.
Image: Stephen Antonson
There are no prices on the aforementioned websites, and we all know what that means, but it doesn’t hurt to look, right?
The more you delve, the more Giacometti inspired pieces you find. Though for the most part, very much at higher prices, and often US based, which seems to be the story of my life. Porta Romana and Rose Uniacke also offer some Giacometti-esque pieces.
Vaughn in the UK do a gorgeous wall light and chandelier, but are trade only, so I haven’t included them even though the wall light is apparently reasonably priced, though I fear the chandelier is quite a lot!
Sadly I’ve missed the boat on the gorgeous chandelier that Miles Redd did in collaboration with Ballard Designs and it’s no longer available. I believe it was $295 USD - a total steal, and I wish I’d known about it at the time, and at that price, even with shipping and import taxes it would have still been reasonable. SOB.
ANYWAY, for us mere mortal dreamers, I’ve hunted down the more affordable (yes, some only in a ‘one day if I eat beans on toast for the next two years’ kind of way) versions, if nothing else, to bookmark them for myself to occasionally stare at lovingly through my screen.
I’m actually obsessed with the ‘Alberto’ Chandelier (see below) and might start a secret savings account so that I can have it it my (still non-existent) bathroom one day.
Stray Dog Designs
These guys are about as cool as it gets and I’ve lusted after their lighting for quite some time. US based, but maybe they will ship to the UK if you ask extra nicely, but you will have to for an orderly queue, as they are clearly in high demand with quite long lead-times.
Image: Arlo Chandelier - Stray Dog Designs
Image: Harper sconce - Stray Dog designs
Late to the party here as Visual Comfort seem to be the root source of the worlds coolest designer lighting, working with the likes of Kelly Wearstler on stunning collections (several pieces of which I am unable to stop thinking about. Lighting obsessed, moi?!).
They are also the source of THAT wall light. You’re welcome.
Image: alberto wall light Visual Comfort
And the chandelier I have in the fantasy bathroom in my head…
IMAGE: ALBERTO SINGLE TIER CHANDELIER - VISUAL COMFORT
In the UK you can buy Visual Comfort lighting from Lightsource and Lux Deco among others. The Alberto lights also come in a gold finish and there are two larger chandeliers, a floor lamp and a table lamp. I adore them all!
A last minute, less decorative but still very beautiful entry from Atelier Sedap who are a new find for me, this plaster Halo pendant available at Asco Lights. I’m in love. Again…
I know none of these are cheap by any stretch, but as I said I think we will start seeing some high street offerings over the coming year. Fingers crossed! And if you happen to know where any more affordable Giacometti inspired lighting is hiding in the UK, do let me know. It’s coming, I know it, I can feel it in my bones, so keep your eyes peeled!