Edmond Laurent Etling
(1878-1940)
La Societe Anonyme Edmond Etling Paris
Etling Paris was one of the leading names in early 20th-century French decorative arts. Founded in 1909 by Edmond Laurent Etling (1878–1940), the company quickly established itself in Paris as a hub for innovative design during the height of the Art Deco period. Edmond Etling was not a sculptor himself but a visionary publisher, gallerist, and entrepreneur who recognised and supported some of the most talented artists of his generation. By commissioning their work, Etling created a range of pieces that captured the modern spirit of the 1920s and 1930s.
The Etling name became associated with finely made decorative objects including glassware, bronze sculpture, perfume bottles, vases, bowls, and lamps. Many designs were produced in pâte de verre, a type of cast glass with a soft, satin finish, often in subtle colours such as blue, green, and amber. Others combined bronze, ivory, or mixed materials, reflecting the creativity of the period. Etling collaborated with leading sculptors and designers including Demetre Chiparus, Claire Colinet, Maurice Guiraud-Rivière, Armand Godard, Jean Verschneider, and Edouard Drouot. While many of these artists also worked for other publishers, pieces signed Etling France stand out for their distinctive style, combining elegance with modernity and movement.
Native American on Horseback Edouard Drouot – Cast by Etling Paris AVAILABLE at jacksons antique
Etling’s glass production was often handled by Cristalleries de Choisy-le-Roi, who manufactured pâte de verre models exclusively for the company. These works remain highly recognisable for their satin surface and refined palette, making them increasingly sought after by collectors today. The company’s history came to a tragic halt during the Second World War. Edmond Etling, who was Jewish, was deported and perished in a concentration camp during the Nazi occupation of France. With his death, the business ceased trading, though many of the artists he supported continued their own careers.
Today, surviving Etling pieces are highly collectible, admired not only for their quality of design but also for the story they tell about a vibrant era of French decorative art. Works are typically marked Etling France with an accompanying model number or signature, a detail that helps collectors identify authentic examples. While reproductions do exist, originals can be distinguished by their weight, finish, and the unmistakable character of the Art Deco period.
French Bronze Female by Jean Verschneider and Etling Paris Available at jacksons antique
Etling Paris remains celebrated as a defining force in Art Deco glass and sculpture, remembered both for its outstanding collaborations and as a symbol of French creativity during a transformative moment in design history.