Gene Byron (Canadian–Mexican, 1910–1987) Hand-wrought Iron Candle Holder

Gene Byron (Canadian–Mexican, 1910–1987) Hand-Wrought Iron Candle Holder Stamped to the underside: G B Mexico Mexico, mid-20th century Wrought and welded iron This distinctive hand-forged iron candle holder exemplifies the sculptural metalwork of Gene Byron, an artist of Canadian origin who became a celebrated figure in mid-century Mexican decorative arts. The piece is constructed from vertically ribbed cylindrical sections arranged in a scalloped formation, rising to a conical, fluted upper register supporting a simple tubular candle socket. The form is architectural in character, combining geometric mass with a delicately flared, petal-like crown. Evidence of hand-welding, tool marks and irregularities in the seams are consistent with Byron’s artisanal production methods, highlighting the expressive, workshop-based nature of her metalwork. The underside bears the impressed G B Mexico mark, identifying the piece as a product of the Gene Byron Studio (also known as “Casa Gene Byron”), which operated in Guanajuato and produced an extensive range of handcrafted ironware including lighting, furniture, tableware and accessories. Byron’s ironworks are known for their robust construction, distinctive volumetric silhouettes, and elegant, often floral or architectural motifs. Gene Byron (born Alice Genevieve Parsons in Ontario, Canada) settled permanently in Mexico in the 1940s following studies in music and theatre in the United States. Her early training in the performing arts informed her later work as a designer, painter and sculptor, particularly in her sense of dramatic staging and bold formal vocabulary. By mid-century she had established herself as a prominent figure in Mexican artistic circles, producing an eclectic body of work across painting, ceramics, textiles and metal. Her reputation today rests largely on her metalwork, which blends industrial craft techniques with organic and vernacular Mexican references. The Gene Byron Studio developed a strong commercial following throughout the 1950s–1970s, supplying bespoke metal furniture and decorative objects to private clients, hotels, cultural institutions and architectural projects throughout Mexico. Pieces from the studio are now increasingly sought after due to their scarcity, handmade construction, and clear connection to Mexico’s mid-century design renaissance. Casa Museo Gene Byron Byron’s home and workshop in Marfil, Guanajuato, today functions as the Casa Museo Gene Byron, a museum dedicated to her life and artistic production. The museum preserves her living spaces, studio, archives and numerous works across different media, offering a rare and detailed insight into her multidisciplinary practice. It has become an important regional cultural centre, hosting exhibitions, concerts and community events, and stands as the primary institutional custodian of her legacy. The museum’s holdings and documentation have been instrumental in establishing the significance of her contribution to Mexican applied arts and design in the 20th century. A fine and representative example of Gene Byron’s sculptural metalwork, displaying the handmade quality and distinctive design language increasingly recognised by collectors of Mexican mid-century craftsmanship.