J.B. Hirsch, A Company Reinvented, Debuts At High Point

Furniture World Magazine

J. B. Hirsch, the division of Richmond Lighting known for its Collection Francaise, 20th and 21st Century Sculptures cast from 19th Century French moulds, makes a grand return to the marketplace at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, April 18-26, 2002. The new collections that will bow in the company’s redesigned second floor Commerce wing IHFC showroom include lamps, decorative accessories and accent furniture. This expansion into other product categories and styling marks a major departure from the lighting and statuary designs from the Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco style, for which the company has long been known. The new J. B. Hirsch Collections include Cornerstone, a distinctive collection of table and floor lamps, romantic in style and finished in an array of old world patina finishes including bronze, gold, copper and a marriage of antiqued silver with each. Each lamp is detailed with a unique assortment of lampshade treatments that include hand sewn silks and other exotic fabrics as well as patterns embossed on fabrics. Design motifs include Neo-Classic and Classical themes, as well as Traditional and Art Deco. The name J.B. Hirsch dates back to 1907 when Rumanian émigré Joseph Hirsch and his son Abraham purchased the moulds from a French foundry that was supplying "French Bronzes" to Hirsch’s company, The New York Bronze Works. Hirsch and his son renamed their company J.B. Hirsch Company and became the first American company to produce "French Bronzes" here. Continuing to purchase from other French Foundries, styles including Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco, the company met the demand of changing styles and during the 1930’s J. B. Hirsch adapted "French Bronze" statuary in the manufacture of portable lamps. Several years ago, parent company Richmond Lighting purchased the original J.B. Hirsch French moulds and began producing lamp bases made of zinc (refined to 99.97% purity, known to the trade as "spelter") to complement its "Tiffany" styled stained glass shades. Richmond Lighting, president Alex Xie, and multi-talented design and marketing consultant and industry veteran, Rhett Sypher, have completely revamped the J.B. Hirsch image from new logos to product line and added important product extensions that complement one another. Also bowing at this market from J.B. Hirsch is the Bombay Collection, an extensive collection of decorative boxes, vases, lamps, candleholders, and accent furniture. According to Rhett Sypher, "What we’ve done is update the J.B. Hirsch line to make it more viable for the retailer. I commend Alex for his foresight and for his commitment to the line and to its presentation." Sypher is referring to the company’s second floor, Commerce Wing International Home Furnishings Center showroom located at C-208 IHFC in High Point. The company has just completed a redesign of its showroom by North Carolina based showroom designer, Fran Campbell. The new showroom design includes new floors, walls, paint and a completely new design configuration, which will showcase the new J.B. Hirsch line, as well as the extensive new introductions and best sellers from parent company, Richmond Lighting. In all, J.B. Hirsch in its "At Home" Collections will introduce 25 pieces of accent furniture including hand painted designs and exotic wood finishes like the Sussex finish featured on the Bombay Chest. The company will introduce nearly 100 decorative accessories including porcelain vases, castings, sculpture, decorative boxes and vessels, and candleholders. And more than 90 new table lamps, floor and accent lamps will debut under the new J.B. Hirsch logo and tagline, which states, "Quality ~ Cast in Tradition Since 1907". According to Abage Publishing Company’s 3rd Volume of The Encyclopedia of Bronzes Sculptors & Founders 1800-1930, "Probably the most unique foundry in the world today is that of the J. B. Hirsch Company, an American firm located in New Jersey." While noteworthy quotes such as this, reflect on a company that is rich in tradition, the new, reinvented J.B. Hirsch is designed to meet the product needs of lighting and home furnishings retailers who are looking for real value with the quality of bygone era. For further information contact the company’s public relations department at 800.447.8935.