ARMAND JONCKERS

An unclassifiable Belgium-based artist takes inspiration from the fantasy world of a popular video game, as well as an interest in mineralogy, to reinvent the Harcourt glass.

"The Heavenly Shards are magical objects used in the famous game World of Warcraft, the game must be combined to achieve 10 bursts of celestial crystal."

Sculptor, antiquarian, mineralogist, decorator: Armand Jonckers defies definition, though he likes to call himself a “handyman.” Born to a Belgian father and a French mother in 1939, Jonckers, who lives in Brussels, studied sculpture at Lausanne, Switzerland’s school of fine arts from 1957 to 1962. 

Upon graduating, he embarked on a number of creative endeavors: dealing in antiques, studying mineralogy, collecting gems and decorating residences and boutiques, including the clothing shop Lollipop, two Saudi Arabian palaces and the club Le Fashion, a favorite of the Paris elite. From here, he began designing furniture, much of which reused vintage objects and materials.

Jonckers evidences a style that some have referred to as baroque with a touch of humor. Although his sought-after works include the monumental tables and coffee tables in the hotel salons, he has never had a formal gallery show.