"Jean Perzel was born in Bruck, Bavaria (Germany) on May 2, 1892. He learns the trade of glass painter in Munich when he is still very young and at the age of 16 he graduates top of his class and sets off on a trip round Europe on foot, travelling to Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and finally France. On route, he find employment in workshops to earn his living and learns different techniques. In 1910 he arrives in Paris, where he finds work with a master glassmaker who, one year later, sends him to Algiers to carry out some important work. He returns to Paris in 1914 during the First World War; he then enlistes in the Foreign Legion, is demobilized in 1919 when he becomes a French citizen. He continues to work as a glass painter, particularly for Gruber. From 1923, he begins specializing in designing lighting for modern interiors.

He shows his work in the 'Automne' exhibitions of 1924 (as a member), the interior designers' exhibition of 1925, the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts from 1932 to 1936 and abroad in Barcelona, Bari, Brussels and New York. He serves on a large number of juries during these exhibitions.
"He wins First Prize in the Concours d'Eclairage organised at the 'Salon des Décorateurs' exhibition in 1928 and four First Prizes at the Concours du Luminaire in 1936. He was commissioned to design the lighting for the Palace of the League of Nations in Geneva, the Luxembourg cathedral, Mulhouse train station and the Institut Français in London; he also worked for the Maharajah of Indore, the Belgian royal family, Henry Ford in Detroit, the buildings of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Canadian Embassy in the Hague, the Residence of the Emperor of Annam in Dalat, and the Royal Chitralada Palace (Residence of the King of Siam) in Bangkok. He is made Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1937."