Design
Finding new ground while exploring glass and metal
Clear glass tubes fill the spaces between the iron supports in Come’s Oval Cabinet, 2017. Image courtesy of: 1st dibs
Christophe Come has a unique talent for creating pieces that combine two materials that normally don’t get styled together. The contrast between glass and metal is well known, they are two extreme materials that require a lot of delicacy when married together.
Glass has properties that portray fragility and effervescence, while metal is looked at as heavy and strong. Balance between these two is hard to achieve when they’re combined… but Come is quite a master at this. Come was quoted as saying, “I work with many different iron smiths, ceramists and gilders and go often to their workshops to see how they fabricate things, because they have incredible savoir faire. Even from one workshop to another, they have different solutions for fixing different materials together.”
Standing Iron and Glass Oblique Screen, 2003. This screen is one-of-a-kind. Dimensions measure approximately 78.75 (h) x 94.50 (l) x 2 .33 (d) inches. Image courtesy of: 1st dibs
Having an organic approach to glass has enabled Come to maintain his unique style. The French artist believes that glass is most beautiful in it’s original and pure form. This is in sharp contrast to most glassblowers who work hard to change the composition and give it a variety of colors.
Based in Paris, Come has been afforded the luxury of working as an “apprentice” under skilled artists and craftsmen in order to refine his craft. It’s no surprise that Come became an artist… his uncle is a famous ceramicist and his sister is a renowned illustrator.
Glazed Lava Cabinet with patinated iron, 2014.
This unique cabinet is made of iron and hand-glazed aubergine lava tiles. The cabinet features two front doors and one interior glass shelf. The color of the glass is vivid and elegant all at once, and of course, one-of-a-kind! Image courtesy of: 1st dibs
Last year, Come put together an impressive exhibition at Cristina Grajales Gallery in New York City. The artist’s inspiration for design may come from anything found in nature or from architecturally designed ironwork. The iron Come initially begins with is conventional which he shapes, twists, and turns… changing the texture and oxidizing the iron to produce amazing finishes.
Never formally studying design or art, Come was lucky enough to work with the French sculptor, Louis Derbre. The schooling within the studio was mainly taught in the language of bronze. However, when Come started off on his own, he began by working specifically with iron.
From last year’s collection, this wrought cabinet is called Glass, Iron & Fire and measures, 123 x 49 x 85 cm. Image courtesy of: Christophe Come
For the past few years, Come has concentrated on experimenting with lava stone to make his furniture pieces. Now however, he’s set on designing pieces that showcase his technique with hammered wrought iron. It’s common to see iron tendrils branching out and cascading from the pieces. Come’s furniture pieces now have a more contemporary feel to them, and they’re more “substantial” also!
Christophe Come in his Parisian studio. Image courtesy of: Architectural Digest, photographed by: Roberto Frankenberg.
It’s wonderful that Christophe Come’s works are now coveted by top architects and designers. It’s evident that Come’s imagination is alive and well… as he reinvents his collections as frequently as he does. Whether it’s glass, lava or iron, there’s a seamless quality to his works that can’t be replicated. Perhaps that’s why there’s currently such a love affair with Come’s lighting and furniture pieces!
