Art Deco
French, Circa 1937
Art Deco, Glass Radiator
Designed by: Rene Coulon
Glass & Chromed Nickel
H=22.8" W=16.9" D=5.12"
Accession # 2021-750.00
This glass radiator was designed by René Coulon for the French glass manufacturer St. Gobain, and was first exhibited at the 1937 International Exposition of the Arts and Techniques of Modern Living, (Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne) in Paris.
The radiator is composed of two upright, flat, rectangular glass sheets with flat metallic heating elements sandwiched between; along with chromed metal support rods, and rings at upper corners for picking up and moving the piece, all set into a triangular, lighted base of heavy tempered glass.
Above: Vintage “Radiator” advertisement.
Though it did look stunningly stylish, turns out the Radiaver was not very good at heating a room. However, it did act as an inspiration for the de-icing systems that would later be used on the rear windows of automobiles!
Above: Magazine cover showing the Saint Gobain glass pavilion at the 1937 Exposition in Paris .
Above: Image from the interior of the Glass Pavilion showing where the Radiaver was placed.