French Flair

By MALINA JOSEPH GILCHRIST

THE 2013 DESIGN SEASON kicked off recently with Maison et Objet, the biannual fair held at the Paris Nord Villepinte that celebrates the latest, greatest—and craziest—work from the worlds of furniture, textile and design. This year's show embraced everything from ballroom-worthy crystal chandeliers by the venerable French crystal company Saint-Louis to fashion designer Rick Owens's paleo-minimalist chair made entirely of ox bones. Classic pieces (a round Jacques Adnet hanging mirror) rubbed elbows with bratty upstarts (the Jeff Koons for Bernardaud dinner set). Proudly functional objects coexisted with designs that were content simply to be admired.

Happiest Returns

Among the show standouts were these four reissued classics

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Bitossi Ceramiche Calice

Given fashion's current taste for graphic Op Art prints, Ettore Sottsass' bold 1959 vase is right on trend. Bitossi Ceramiche Calice,$979, Design Within Reach, 800-944-2233

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'Four Elements' Clock by Johann Joachim Kaendler

Cupids represent the four elements in Meissen's hand-painted 18th-century porcelain timepiece. 'Four Elements' Clock by Johann Joachim Kaendler, price upon request, Meissen, 49-352-1468-6650

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The Visionary by Jean E. Puiforcat Teapot

This 1928 gem of a teapot is crafted from sterling silver and rosewood. The Visionary by Jean E. Puiforcat Teapot, price upon request, Puiforcat, 212-835-6448

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Grossman Gräshoppa Floor Lamp

Evoking a curious insect, Greta Grossman's 1947 classic Gräshoppa lamp has been reissued in red. Grossman Gräshoppa Floor Lamp, $875, gubi.com

A version of this article appeared February 1, 2013, on page D8 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: FRENCH FLAIR.