Immersion at the heart of our craftsmen’s work
Hidden from view, beneath the Paris showroom of Atelier Jean Perzel, lies a secret and fascinating place: the workshop.
Closed to the public, this space reserved for a privileged few houses treasures of artisanal know-how, handed down from generation to generation. Here, century-old machines stand side by side with the expert gestures of craftsmen perpetuating an almost sacred tradition. A dozen journeymen, each specialized in a particular task, carry out this precision manufacturing.
Every corner of the 400m² workshop is steeped in history. Why do these tools seem to belong to another time? How, in this modern world, do these craftsmen manage to preserve the essence of the handmade? Today, we open the doors to this unique world, where each luminaire takes shape under expert hands, to become much more than a simple object: a work of art.
The glass workshop: the art of transforming glass
Between know-how and magic
Glass, a material both fragile and majestic, is one of the emblematic signatures of Perzel creations.
In the part of the workshop dedicated to glass, each stage is a ballet of precision. Imagine raw, transparent, cold glass that is gradually transformed. At 900°C, it’s still malleable, like modelling clay heated to white. Craftsmen shape it, bend it, shape it, until they obtain those elegant curves that seem to dance with the light.
But it doesn’t stop there. Sandblasting comes into play: grains of sand projected at high speed mattify the glass, slightly blurring its surface to create a soft, diffused light. The magic happens when, under their hands, these plates light up with subtle reflections. How can a simple grain of sand transform such a noble material? The contrast between the power of fire and the delicacy of sandblasting gives rise to unique pieces, where every imperfection becomes a mark of character.
Then comes the polishing stage. With the lapidary, a machine dating back to the 1920s: “the soul of the Perzel house”.
An almost hypnotic moment when, with the grinding wheel, every detail is perfected, every irregularity erased to reveal smooth, luminous surfaces.
The glass, once raw and rigid, now becomes a prism of light, ready to embellish the most prestigious interiors.
The metal workshop: uncommon precision
Brass in the spotlight
Brass, a subtle alloy of copper and zinc, is at the heart of Perzel’s creations, and comes to life under the expert hands of our craftsmen.
Ordered in sheets or tubes, this noble material bends to every creative daring. Hand-drawn and precision-cut, each piece is then assembled by silver brazing: an ancestral technique that ensures strength and durability.
And then, often, certain curves take shape thanks to hot embossing, a delicate manual technique, giving rise to perfect curves.
Brass castings, on the other hand, require extra attention. Sanded and polished, every surface becomes soft and luminous.
Here, it’s all a question of patience and meticulousness, each model being a unique work of art, crafted piece by piece, by hand. The gestures are sure, inherited from decades of know-how. Nothing is left to chance.
Every step, from cutting to polishing, reveals the magical transformation of raw metal into a work of art. A transformation where tradition and modernity coexist, and where every detail is meticulously crafted to guarantee excellence.
Finishes
Signature and know-how
Once each piece has been crafted, it is marked with the famous “JPerzel” stamp, a signature that attests to its authenticity.
But the work doesn’t stop there: the metal is carefully prepared according to the desired finish.
For a brass look, it undergoes meticulous polishing followed by protective varnishing. Copper, chrome or lacquer finishes require surface abrasion to ensure good adhesion of the primer coat, before the final finish is applied.
Historically, the Atelier Jean Perzel offered cream or ivory lacquers. Today, the palette has broadened to include brighter shades such as brilliant red and royal blue, although metallic finishes remain the most popular.
Each color, each texture is a promise of timeless elegance.
Once all the parts of a model have been manufactured, the glass and metal components must be precisely assembled, as each one is unique and may need to be adjusted. Next comes electrification, and a final check on the quality of the fit.
The highest standards are applied: every detail counts, every imperfection is tracked down and corrected, leaving only perfection.
The Atelier Jean Perzel, heir to time-honored expertise
For over a century, the Atelier Jean Perzel has been a guardian of French artisanal excellence. The gestures are precise, the tools are worn by decades of practice, and each luminaire is the fruit of long hours of meticulous work. In this temple of know-how, the craftsmen cultivate an unshakeable passion for their craft.
Each luminaire, a unique piece, tells the story of a symbiotic dialogue between glass, metal and light.
Since 2008, the Living Heritage Company, French government label has testified to this excellence.
Every gesture, every detail, every finish, everything here exudes passion.
It is here, in this unspoilt setting, that lighting fixtures are manufactured and will stand the test of time, adorning the most beautiful residences and prestigious institutions around the world.
It is in this alchemy of everyday life, in this mysterious and almost ancestral workshop, that a rare luxury blossoms, made of light and magic.
