Frederick Cooper

In 1923, Mr. Frederick Cooper, a Chicago artist, established a studio specializing in sculpture and watercolor art. His work was so prized that he was asked to illuminate his sculptures by incorporating his works of art into lamps. The concept was embraced by the consuming public, and so initiated the recognition of Frederick Cooper as a leading manufacturer of high quality artistic portable lamps. Upon Frederick Cooper's retirement in 1945, Mr. Leo Gershanov and Mr. Ben Markle purchased the company. In the fifty-six years since then, Frederick Cooper has become established as the international leader in the design & manufacture of artistic lamps, sconces and chandeliers. Today Frederick Cooper is still owned and managed by Leo's sons, Peter & Fred Gershanov, along with Suzanne Lauren, Bernard Sawickis, Mina Benigni and John Chiong. While company executives have embraced new technologies in areas such as marketing and merchandising, Frederick Cooper's intricate "hands-on" approach to manufacturing is steeped in its traditional values. The company operates as a group of artist studios. Lamps, chandeliers and sconces are individually produced by hand, not on an assembly line. The various shops that include woodturning, veneer marquetry, metal and wood finishing, gold leafing, hand painting and lampshade making, are operated by skilled artisans many of whom have been with the company more than 25 years and some more than 40 years. Here in the company's quarter million square foot Chicago Headquarters, these artisans transform beautiful porcelains, ceramics, woods, full lead crystal, glass, pure brass, bronze and other metals into exquisite illuminating works of art.

One of Frederick Cooper's signature treatments include the use of silk and other fine and exotic materials to produce its unique hand sewn lampshades, many of which are adorned with distinctive bead and fringe treatments. The company also produces its own fabric over parchment and hand painted shades, which are designed to compliment each lamp in size, design and color. These shades are unmatched in quality worldwide. Another of Frederick Cooper's signatures includes its association with some of the world's most renowned and prolific fashion designers. Proudly displayed in the company's current line up of fashion forward decorative lighting are elaborate designs from Mario Buatta, Larry Laslo and Raymond Waites to name a few. Frederick Cooper's own Studio E Collection showcases some of most exceptional lamps available today and commemorates the company's heritage and original artistic spirit.

The company's products are made one at time in its Chicago factory and are available to the public exclusively through quality furniture and lighting retail stores, lamp and furniture departments of the best department stores, design galleries and interior designers. Frederick Cooper stands for the pinnacle of quality craftsmanship, extraordinary design and reliability. The company's staff takes great pride in knowing its lighting products add to the beauty and warmth of homes, hotels, embassies and offices throughout the world.

To learn more about Frederick Cooper visit their website at www.Frederickcooper.com.