Art Deco nightlight (1930)

This nightlight, made in 1930, reflects Van Cleef & Arpels' love of creating an interplay of color and its fascination with precious objects. The unique piece belongs to the patrimony collection. It shows how the artistic movements of its time ̶ Art Deco and Modernism ̶ have influenced the Maison's creations.

This lamp features geometric forms in superimposed plans. The materials were chosen to suit the object's function. For instance, quartz was selected because its translucent quality allowed some light to pass through. The use of green lacquer, black onyx and pink quartz creates a genuine color contrast, which can also be seen on mirrors, ashtrays, and cups of the same period.