A UNIQUE SUITE OF SIX MASSIVE LUSTRE 'MOINEAUX I' CEILING LIGHTS, in polished, opalescent and frosted glass, sepia tinted satine patine, each with a surrounding frieze in high naturalistic relief of four pairs of sparrows perched in twisting boughs amongst bunches of curling leaves, each base moulded with 36 cog wheel tooth lugs in opalescent relief, original interior metal frame for ceiling attachment, fitted for electricity, each approximately 12000 grams, glass frieze, with sand-blasted stencil mark ‘R. LALIQUE. FRANCE’ [MARCILHAC 2298 and p.188] 1932.

Lalique’s fame in America was at its peak in the 1930s, when these lustres were produced. His reputation was further enhanced by a retrospective exhibition of his glass held in 1933 at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. The ‘Moineaux I’ sparrow lustre design was created on 21 January 1931 and first appeared in Lalique’s catalogue for 1932. The individual lustres are highly sought after. A suite of six is extremely rare.

Lalique’s granddaughter, Marie-Claude, said of Rene Lalique "my genius grandfather, he elevated the decorative arts to the level of the fine arts and is recognized today as an undisputed master".