French Art Deco Wrought Iron + Gilt Table Lamp Attributed to Michel Zadounaïsky, 1940s - 2 Available

Created in France during the 1940s, a French Art Deco table lamp attributed to Michel Zadounaïsky, where wrought iron is shaped less as ornament and more as structure in motion.

The lamp composition rises vertically through a framework of forged scrollwork, balancing symmetry with irregularity in a way that reveals the hand behind its making. The silhouette feels architectural—part candelabra, part iron gate—built from layered spirals that draw the eye upward before opening outward into two curved arms.

Crafted in wrought iron with gilt accents, the surface carries the texture of the forge: darkened metal, subtle hammer marks, and softened edges that give weight and depth to the piece. Small gilded details punctuate the structure, catching light against the darker iron and introducing warmth without excess. The conical shades bring restraint to the composition, allowing the framework beneath to remain the focal point.

Attributed to Michel Zadounaïsky, the lamp reflects the intersection of French Art Deco geometry and the more expressive ironwork that emerged in the years surrounding the mid-century period. Decorative, yet grounded in craftsmanship, it carries the character of pieces designed to shape atmosphere as much as illuminate a room.

Scaled for a console, side table, or entry, the lamp functions as both lighting and object. Unlit, the scrollwork creates rhythm and shadow against the wall behind it. Lit, the gilt surfaces soften and deepen in tone, emphasizing the layered construction of the form.

Sold and priced individually.

Michel Zadounaïsky (1903–1983) was a French Art Deco metalworker celebrated for his masterful wrought iron furnishings and lighting. Born in Odessa, he emigrated to Lyon as a child and later studied briefly at the Beaux-Arts de Lyon, where he formed connections with leading decorative artists of the period.

After apprenticing with the Fournet chandelier makers, Zadounaïsky established his own workshop and developed a distinctive style marked by flowing curves, interlaced forms, sharp points, and recurring animal motifs, especially snakes. Admired for both his craftsmanship and originality, he created bold yet functional works entirely by hand, from design to fabrication. His work was recognized by figures such as Raymond Subes, and in 1935 he received commissions for the Château de Noailles from Viscount Ferdinand-Antoine de Lacroix-Laval. Today, Zadounaïsky is regarded as one of the most expressive voices of French Art Deco wrought iron design.