His outstanding gift to the world is sensational design in glass, made available to the many not just the few.
‘Poissons’ vase, cased, opalescent, introduced 1921, moulded and engraved makers mark ‘R.LALIQUE Lalique’. Book reference: Marcilhac 925.
How wonderful is the subtlety of the above René Lalique cased opalescent glass ‘Poissons’ Vase. The fish, almost indistinguishable to begin with, demands closer attention holding one’s interest long after the first glance.
‘Danaides’ vase, opalescent, introduced 1926, wheel cut and engraved makers mark, ‘R. LALIQUE FRANCE No.972’. Book reference: Marcilhac 972.
‘Danaides’ is a great example of fabulous design. ‘Danaides’ also illustrates a trademark device he used, most likely at the very conception of the design. It seems he would choose an interesting subject with a fascinating subtext. The piece would be named after the subject. The ‘Danaides’ inspiration originates with a painting in 1903 by John William Waterhouse.
‘The Danaides’ by John William Waterhouse , 1903
One can imagine the lively mind of René Lalique enquiring into the myth with customary energy, consequently developing the design.
Eternal punishment for the fifty daughters
The painting depicts some of the fifty daughters of Danaus. These young ladies were forced to marry the fifty sons of his twin brother, a king of the realm with power over all. Or so the king believed.
The girls, however, were having none of it. The myth has it that all but one of the fifty daughters killed their husbands on the wedding night. Wow. Girl power, right? For this they were condemned to an eternity of pouring water into a leaky vessel. This may seem not much of a punishment to us. But to the ancient Greeks this was worse than death itself.
Beautiful Lattice
‘Beautreillis’, introduced 1927, opalescent, etched makers mark, ‘R. LALIQUE FRANCE no.989’. Book reference: Marcilhac 989.
Introduced just one year later, the name chosen for this design is more down to earth. ‘Beautreillis’ translates to ‘Beautiful Lattice’. One wonders whether René first saw the pattern in nature thereafter making the design.
Bammako
‘Bammako’, introduced 1934, opalescent glass vase, with etched maker’s mark ‘R. LALIQUE FRANCE’.
Decorated around the outside with hemispherical bubbles. When you look into the bubbles, they beautifully relect/refract bubbles from all around the vase.
Another masterpiece from René. Does anyone out there have info on the orgin of the name ‘Bammako’? What on earth do these gorgeous bubbles represent? Some animal, plant or jellyfish? Or merely a pattern? To my eye they pulsate with living energy. I would love to know what it was that sparked Rene’s imagination. What is ‘Bammako’?
3 responses to “Lalique Glass Vases – How wonderful are they?”
Philip John Le Brocq
WE have inherited a R Lalique Glass Vase no 9 Ref Marcilhac 97272
Circa 1926
Can you give us a valuation if we wanted to sell it please?
And for Insurance purposes?
Many thanks
Philip Le Brocq
With regret we are unable to give valuations. Lalique glass creations often have distinctive names. Search the internet for these and you will find examples and a range of prices.
Comments
3 responses to “Lalique Glass Vases – How wonderful are they?”
WE have inherited a R Lalique Glass Vase no 9 Ref Marcilhac 97272
Circa 1926
Can you give us a valuation if we wanted to sell it please?
And for Insurance purposes?
Many thanks
Philip Le Brocq
phlip.lebrocq@gmail.com
With regret we are unable to give valuations. Lalique glass creations often have distinctive names. Search the internet for these and you will find examples and a range of prices.
Correction
The vase in numbered 972!
Many thanks
Philip.lebrocq@gmail.com