French Modern Table Lamp in Travertine attributed to Philippe Barbier, 1960

A very elegant lamp in travertine; the parallelepiped-shaped base supports, with a burnished and brushed brass fitting, a perfect round, lenticular geometric figure; there is then a flared tubular structure, also in brass, at the top of which the light point is placed. The whole ensemble is aesthetically linear and pleasing, being taller than an ordinary table lamp, it has considerable weight. It was made in France by Maison Barbier between 1960 and 1967; Maison Barbier was a small factory on the Rue du Pré aux Clercs near the Boulevard Saint-Germain in central Paris; Philippe Barbier was a quoted French designer of the 20th century, he designed furniture and tables, but he remained famous for his original lamps, which with their innovative, unusual and timeless shape became popular all over the world, even today they are much loved by collectors. Famous movie directors have used Barbier’s lamps in the settings of their films. But in addition to the design, the lamp has another value, the extraordinary and prestigious material from which it was made: travertine. Tuscan travertine is synonymous with charm, elegance, simplicity, and versatility that ennobles the art of building. Travertine, quarried since Etruscan times in the Rapolano basin in the heart of the Crete Senesi, starts from history to make history, in fact, this limestone, in the balance between flexibility and rigidity, has allowed and still allows the creativity of architects and designers such as Maison Barbier to devise realizations of absolute value. Rapolano Stone, as a building material, has been used in many palaces and buildings, including historic ones, in the Siena area. The Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo, the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi founded in 1472 in Siena, represents some striking examples. But the whole city of Siena is largely made of Rapolano Stone. Our lamp therefore on the whole, besides the preciousness of the stone, has a modern and contemporary design, not too loaded but essential, a unique piece of furniture, refined and elegant at the same time. The photo with the lampshade is only explanatory, the lamp comes without, so that everyone can choose the color in a personal way to match their own decor. The lamp is in good condition Please note: the electrical system is new but the wiring is European, and voltage compatibility in other states should always be checked by an electrician before use. Measurements (without lampshade) height cm.61, diameter cm.24, base depth cm.15.