A good quality French brass desk lamp with adjustable rachet mechanism in the style of & possibly designed by W.A.S Benson but produced and/or sold by L’universe F.D a Parisian based lighting retailer. The lamp is complimented with a strongly-coloured “pate-de-verre” lampshade by Muller Frères, Luneville. Base signed L’universe F.D Paris, France c.1925

Provenance: Our research indicates that it is almost certain that W.A.S Benson licenced one or more French manufacturers to copy it’s designs to sell directly to the French market.  This lamp bears the clear resemblance and quality to the Benson model no.1079 (see photo) however with some more decorative French twists such as the more elaborate base design and more decorative finials to adjustable section of the light.

Ref:  W.A.S Benson by Ian Hammerton, P.259,Pl.15,No.1079

Also see our near matching signed benson table lamp JAL463 (see final photo)

Ht.44.4cm/17.5

Verrerie d’Art Muller Frères, Luneville 1919

• Henri &  Désiré  learn their trade working as student of Gallé and around 1895 create their own workshop in Luneville.
• In 1896, the entire Muller family (father, mother and children) live in Nancy. Camille works at Daum’s, Baccarat and then finally he goes to Sèvres. Eugene, Victor and Pierre join the Galle’s workshop.
• In 1900, Henri leases space inside the Croismare glass-works and transfers there some of the workshops of the Rue Sainte-Anne in Luneville
• In 1919 Henri and Désiré buy the majority of shares of the Hinzelin’s glassworks and create “Les Grandes Verrerie et Cristalleries de Croismare”.
• At the same time they create the new company “Verrerie d’Art Muller Frères” to give a name to their activity in Luneville.
• Glass produced at Luneville are signed “Muller Fres,Luneville” while glass at “Croismare” is signed as such.