Mid 20th Century Monumental Palm Tree Floor Sconce Attributed to Maison Jansen

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An extraordinary and theatrical Maison Jansen–style palm tree floor lamp / wall sconce, executed in painted plaster with a luminous … Read more An extraordinary and theatrical Maison Jansen–style palm tree floor lamp / wall sconce, executed in painted plaster with a luminous silver-gilt finish. Standing an impressive 83 inches high, this sculptural lighting piece embodies the dramatic glamour of mid-20th-century French design and the enduring appeal of neoclassical exoticism.

The form is conceived as a stylized palm, its tiered and textured trunk rising from a flared foliate base. Above, an exuberant canopy of deeply carved fronds radiates outward, with naturalistic curvature and subtle piercings between the leaves that allow light to glow warmly from within. Three interior light sockets illuminate the crown, casting a soft, atmospheric wash that highlights the sculpted details and creates a dramatic silhouette against the wall.

Palm tree lighting became a signature motif of Parisian high-style interiors in the mid-20th century, most notably associated with Maison Jansen. Founded in 1880, Maison Jansen was the first global interior design firm and became synonymous with refined classicism blended with modern theatricality. By the 1940s–1970s, the firm was celebrated for its opulent yet disciplined reinterpretations of Empire and Louis XVI styles, often infused with exotic elements such as palm trees, bamboo, and neoclassical fantasy forms. Palm-form sconces and floor lamps were used to dramatic effect in grand residences, hôtels particuliers, and international projects, reinforcing a sense of cultivated glamour.

This example channels that legacy beautifully. The painted plaster construction, sculptural scale, and silver-gilt surface evoke the atelier-made decorative lighting that defined the period. Whether mounted against a wall or installed as a monumental floor sconce, it reads as functional art—equal parts lighting and architectural statement.

Overall: 83 in. H x 45 in. W x 9 in. D
Base: 63 in. H x 22 in. W x 7 in. D
Top / Canopy: 20 in. H x 45 in. W x 9 in. D See less