Kobis et Lorence
Kobis & Lorence, lighting editors and designers active in France during the 1950s, stood out for their bold approach in which lighting became both illumination and sculpture. Rooted in the Mid-Century Modern movement and inspired by the aesthetics of the Space Age, their work combined geometric rigor with expressive formal invention.
Their vision extended beyond private interiors: they played a role in the modernization of many cinemas and theaters in France, designing spectacular lighting ensembles for lobbies, auditoriums, and foyers. In these cultural venues, their monumental chandeliers, perforated metal wall sconces, and tripod floor lamps with adjustable reflectors created atmospheres that were both functional and theatrical, turning light itself into a form of decoration. These interventions helped shape the visual identity of numerous public spaces, offering audiences a luminous encounter with modernity.
Among their most iconic works are the multi-arm brass and lacquered metal chandeliers, Sputnik-inspired luminous spheres, and graphic wall sconces that played with shadow and cutout. Conceived both for modern domestic interiors and for public cultural spaces, these creations epitomize the creative momentum of the 1950s and affirm the place of Kobis & Lorence among the major figures of postwar French lighting design.
Today, their pieces are highly sought after by collectors and exhibited in galleries, enduring as symbols of an era when lighting was elevated to an aesthetic statement—at once intimate and monumental.