![]() In his silverwork, Lalique also combined materials such as glass and silver in a single object. The artist’s capacity for innovation is visible in the medieval and Renaissance-inspired themes in various pendants in the collection. The use of unexpected materials rather than precious stones to make jewellery, such as ivory, enamel, horn and glass, is indicative of Lalique’s decisive role in transforming the art of jewellery, which he truly revolutionised with his original creations. ![]() The Figures and serpents brooch, made from ivory, echoes the ancient Roman sculpture Laocoön and his sons (Vatican Museums) and is one of the four jewels in the Gulbenkian Collection to have appeared in Lalique’s hugely successful display at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The Serpents corsage ornament, purchased in 1908, is made from gold and opalescent enamel, a technique which was omnipresent in Lalique’s jewellery, and is a variation on a piece presented by the artist at the 1900 Exposition Universelle. This source of inspiration, comprising reptiles and insects that both attract and repel, gave rise to some of his most famous creations. Lalique’s huge repertoire was enriched by themes inspired by exuberant fauna, either real or imaginary, evoking a fabulous bestiary influenced by the eclecticism of the time. The jewel combines two of the recurring themes in Lalique’s imagery: the female figure and the insect into which she transforms to create a hybrid creature, a woman-insect. Purchased by Gulbenkian in 1903, the Dragonfly-woman corsage ornament probably worn on stage by Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) has hinged wings in opalescent enamel, lending it a dramatic dimension. The image of the woman, explored exhaustively in the art of this period, was a central motif in Lalique’s work and provided a pretext for some of his most daring creations. It provides an overview of Lalique’s work, with a particular focus on the Art Nouveau period when Gulbenkian acquired several of the brilliant creator’s most famous jewels. The collection of almost two hundred pieces purchased by Calouste Gulbenkian directly from René Lalique, between 18, reveals the artist’s prodigious imagination and the collector’s tastes and personality. My admiration for his unique work grew and grew over the course of our fifty-year friendship I am proud to have in my possession what I believe to be the largest existing set of his works, and the latter occupy a privileged place in my collections.’ 1. In a letter to Suzanne Lalique-Haviland (1892-1989) following the artist’s death in 1945, Calouste Gulbenkian expressed his deep sorrow to the Lalique’s daughter at the loss of his friend: ‘Your father was a very dear friend, and my regret at his loss is deepened by the infinite sorrow one always feels upon the demise of a great man. While not well known, Lalique also experimented with bronze and other materials as well.René Lalique (1860-1945) and Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955) met in the mid-1890s. In addition to vases, clocks, automobile mascots, stemware, and bottles, many other useful objects were produced. Characteristically the glass is crystal in combination with acid-etched relief. Favored motifs during the Art Nouveau period were dancing nymphs, fish, dragonflies, and foliage. Lalique glass is lead based, either mold blown or pressed. ![]() During the art nouveau period, Lalique was well known for a wide variety of objects including perfume bottles, vases, inkwells, decorative boxes, and bookends. ![]() The success of this venture resulted in the opening of his own glassworks at Combs-la-Ville in 1909. Lalique glass was made in this manner until approximately 1905 at which time the factory was redesigned for a larger production.Īs such, the individual uniqueness of each example of Lalique glass came to an end with the end of the one-time only molding technique around wax models. Then, the wax is melted and molten glass is poured into the mold. Early works used the familiar "lost wax" technique by which the model is made in wax while a mold is formed around the model. Lalique pursued increasingly more innovative experimentation in glass commencing around 1883. René Lalique was born in 1860 and first began designing fine jewelry in Paris in 1881. René Lalique became synonymous with French Art Nouveau decorative arts. Crystal Classics is an authorized Lalique online boutique.
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