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six white wall lights are arranged in a row on a white surfaceblack and white photograph of a staircase in a building with a spiral staircasean image of a church with wooden pews and a large windowa light that is hanging from the ceiling in a rooman image of a large church with wooden pewsblack and white photograph of a large building with a large dome on top of itblack and white photo of a church with pews and a cross
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199 - SERGE MOUILLE (1922–1988) FOR PIERRE PRUNET (1926–2005), ARC…
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Estimate €20,000 - €30,000
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Description
SERGE MOUILLE (1922–1988) FOR PIERRE PRUNET (1926–2005), ARCHITECT ‘Model designed and produced specifically in 1959 for the Church of Sainte-Thérèse – Rosoirs district, Auxerre (Yonne)’ An exceptional set of 10 wall lights with adjustable lighting, originally lacquered grey. The adjustable Nichon-style shades are made of aluminium, originally lacquered grey on the outside and white on the inside; each featuring an internal socket-holding tab and fitted with a varnished brass ‘Olive’-type ball joint. The horizontal arms, with an unusual mounting design, each consist of a long threaded brass rod housed within a cylindrical sleeve made of metal, originally lacquered grey. The circular metal mounting plates are originally lacquered grey. Width of wall lights: approx. 48 cm Width of lampshades: 36.5 cm Significant oxidation on the ferrous metal parts (circular mounting plates and arms); the mounting plates have been drilled at the edge at a later date (to allow for electrical wiring through a conduit); the electrical wiring and earthing are not original; the clamping screw is missing from several ball joints. Provenance and history: Built between 1958 and 1959 as part of the ongoing development of the Rosoirs district in the Hauts d’Auxerre (Yonne), the parish church of Sainte-Thérèse is one of the major works of the architect Pierre Prunet (1926–2005), Chief Architect of Historic Monuments. The building epitomises the revival of post-war religious architecture, as well as the discussions held by architects and clergy on adapting the liturgy to new urban neighbourhoods. Its architecture is characterised by understated forms, dominated by a spectacular curved roof made of glued-laminated timber, and its diagonal layout with a raised altar, designed to bring the congregation together. The liturgical furnishings, created by the sculptor François Brochet (1925–2001) for the church and its adjacent catechism rooms, contribute to the artistic coherence of the whole. Consecrated on 20 December 1959, but no longer used for worship since 2020, this church now stands as a remarkable example of 1950s religious architecture. Our range of 10 wall lights, specially designed for this religious building, was installed there as soon as construction was completed. The choice of ‘Nichon’-style shades for the fixed wall lights, rather than the ‘Tétine’ or ‘OEil’ models, was probably dictated by the larger dimensions of this reflector; these light fittings had to fit into a space that was very spacious in both height and width. As for the grey colour of our wall lights—a shade not previously seen in Serge Mouille’s body of work—and given that we have no evidence to explain this unusual feature in the artist’s designs, we can only hypothesise that this was a decision by the architect Pierre Prunet, who may well have found it difficult to envisage black-lacquered light fittings in this interior space dedicated to communion or contemplation and, to a large extent, composed of wood – panelling and timber framework. Related bibliography and notes: Pierre-Émile Pralus – Serge Mouille; a French classic – Les Éditions du Mont Thou, Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or, 2006. The breakdown of lampshade designs (Tétine, Nichon, Casquette, Escargot, Conque, etc.) by light fitting model is published on page 149. Numerous light fittings fitted with Nichon lampshades are reproduced throughout this book. Expert: Emmanuel EYRAUD
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About the sale GREAT AUGUST SALE coming soon
Auction location
Auction time 08/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
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