Robert Mathieu

Graduating from Ecole Boulle in 1938, Robert Mathieu was one of the best lighting designers and producers in France in the 1950s. He set up at number 98, boulevard Charonne as a manufacturer of clocks and began designing lighting in 1949. He also produced a little with, for example, a few sublime pieces by Michel Buffet from 1950. Under the name “R. Mathieu Luminaires Rationnels” he developed three main ranges of lights: The first was produced from 1950/1951 around a double lampshade system (the diabolo) in gilded brass. The second, from 1953, used lacquered aluminium reflectors on ceiling lights, lamps and wall lights. In 1956-1958, he invented a complete range of wall and ceiling lights and lamps with lacquered grey metal counterweights, and white Perspex cone reflectors. Other less upscale series followed in the 1960s in glass and teak, in line with the trend for mass-produced Scandinavian furniture. A large part of his production resources was dedicated to special orders. He stopped producing in 1978.