JEAN PERZEL
Jean Perzel was born in Bruck, Bavaria, on May 2, 1892. Starting young as a glassworker painter in Munich, he excelled early, finishing first in his class at 16. Perzel then embarked on a European journey on foot, working in various studios across Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Italy, and France to hone his craft. He arrived in Paris in 1910 and worked with a master glazier, which led him to significant projects in Algiers. Returning to Paris in 1914, he enlisted in the Foreign Legion during World War I, was demobilized in 1919, and became a naturalized French citizen.
From 1920 to 1939, the Art Deco movement revolutionized architecture and design, and Jean Perzel made his mark in this era. He founded the Jean Perzel company, specializing in glass and bronze light fixtures and furniture, which graced prestigious locations such as the King’s Court in Belgium, Henry Ford’s home, and the Rothschild residence. His notable projects included lighting for the League of Nations in Geneva, the Luxembourg Cathedral, the Canadian Embassy in Lahaye, and the French cruise ship Normandie.
Perzel's innovative designs earned him numerous awards and popularity among celebrities and politicians. His work illuminated the interiors of the King of Morocco, the King of Siam in Bangkok, the Maharaja of Indore, and French presidents General De Gaulle and Georges Pompidou. In 1923, at just 31, Perzel specialized in modern interior lighting, establishing his showroom and workshop in an Art Deco building in Paris’s 14th arrondissement, designed by architect Michel Roux-Spitz.
Motivated by a desire to intensify light, Perzel crafted all his pieces from glass, constantly seeking elegance and purity in his designs. Each creation highlighted the architecture of its setting, making Perzel’s fixtures timeless works of art. In 1933, his nephew François Raidt joined the company, becoming a key figure in refining and simplifying the production of Perzel lamps. At just 18, François designed decorative lamps for Henry Ford to celebrate the company’s 25 millionth automobile.
François adapted his style to the changing tastes of the 1960s and 1970s, creating new lines that retained a pure and timeless aesthetic. His son, Olivier Raidt, continued this legacy, learning the intricacies of lighting design from an early age. After mastering each step of the assembly process, Olivier brought new enthusiasm and management skills to the company, along with a vision for international development. As both a creator and businessman, Olivier and his team blend contemporary style with traditional craftsmanship, epitomizing the Jean Perzel lines.
Today, Jean Perzel's company remains a beacon of timeless sophistication. Customers continue to seek Perzel's creations to warm their interiors with the elegant light that has defined the brand since 1923. In recognition of its rich history and traditional techniques, the French Ministry of Culture awarded Jean Perzel the label of “Company of Living Heritage” in 2008. Jean Perzel’s legacy endures, illuminating spaces with unmatched elegance and style.
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