Author: Slow Clap Stories

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Lalique – the punk

Let’s just say not all about Lalique is colourful abundance hit with a touch of dragonflies. Some days he walked the streets in a more somber mode.

Lalique in short…


René Lalique (1860 – 1945) was a French jeweller, goldsmith, glassmaker and designer. He is best known for his innovative jewellery and other glass art designs like vases and perfume bottles.

At the age of sixteen, Lalique began an apprenticeship with the Parisian jeweller Louis Aucoc. He later studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and also spent two years studying in England.
After returning to France, he worked as a freelance designer for several major jewelry houses like, for example, Cartier and Boucheron before he established and set up his own house and workshop in 1886. 

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lalique revolutionized jewelry design. He experimented with materials such as horn, ivory, enamel, semi-precious stones, and glass instead of gemstones. Particularly inspired by nature and frequently incorporating motifs such as female figures, flowers, insects, birds and serpents to his designs he created his very own design language.

And, let’s just also say: Art Nouveau world not be Art Nouveau without René Lalique…

Steel and aluminum brooch, Mulberries, circa 1910-1912.

Nympahle vase, moulded glass with butterflies. Designed post World War II after René Lalique’s death under the direction of his son Marc Lalique.

Oreilles Lezards scent bottle, clear and frosted glass stained black. Model introduced in 1911.
Ring Trèfles, circa 1900. Cultured pearl set in 18 K gold and enamel.

Bouchon Cassis scent bottle, clear and enameled molded glass. The model was introduced in 1920.

Pendant Guepes (Wasps) made in black glass with white patina, circa 1920. Photo and information: BG Arts
Mirror Élegantines, patinated and molded galss, silver-plated metal, brass and walnut. This model was first designed in 1921.
Serpent vase, molded, frosted and black-stained glass. Model introduced in 1924.

Coq box, designed in 1910 and produced in black glass from 1914

Double door Lubin, designed in 1926.
Collar, Chantecler, 1909. Openwork leather embroided with silk, applied with enamel and accented by glass berry motif. The clasp collet-set with a cabochon citrine in 18 carat gold.
Perfume bottle Skyscraper designed for the French couturier Lucien Lelong in 1929. Enameled and chrome-plated metal, acid-etched and mold-blown glass.
Ophelia plaque, patinated bronze, circa 1899-1900.
Necklace Plaquettes Perlées, clear glass with black enamel, 1930. Photo and information: BG Arts
Margaret vase, molded and frosted glass. Model introduced 1929.

Grosses Graines necklace, circa 1920, composed of ten moldes glass beads.
Ambre scent bottles produced for D’Orsay in molded and frosted glass. Model was introduced in 1911-1914.
An octagonal shaped frame in steel and aluminium with beaded accents frames a button-shaped pearl, circa 1910-1915.
Dandy D’Orsay scent bottle, black and white stained glass. Model introduced in 1927.

Ring, Clovers and Claws, circa 1900. Cultural half-pearl set in 18 K gold and enamel.

Orelilles Gravées vase, clear and frosted glass. Model introduced in 1911.

A modern version of the Mossi vase, created in 1933.

Ring called Ondulations, circa 1902. Cultural half-pearl set in 18 K gold and enamel.

The Tourbillons (the Whirlwinds) vase was produced in many hues; this one, designed in 1926, is in clear, colorless glass highlighted in black enamel along the outer edges of the deep walls. Photo and information: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Galss box Anémones’. Made in glass heightened with black staining, silvered metal and with burl wood veneer interior. This box is the only known surviving example of this model  .

Vases Oranges, frosted glass with original black heated enamel, circa 1926, Grenade, in black glass with white patina, circa 1930 finally and Nanking, clear glass with grey patina, circa 1925. Photo and information: BG Arts

All information and photos are picked up at Sotheby’s if nothing else is stated.

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