Lyon & Turnbull’s Design Department is delighted to have introduced Lalique as a new biannual sale category in April 2021. No other auction house offers specialist sales devoted entirely to the work of René Lalique.
Joy McCall heads these sales as she previously did at Christie’s, London for many years. She has over 25 years of experience selling Lalique and brings to the process her knowledge and expertise, together with a personal passion for the subject.
René Lalique
Rene Lalique is regarded as one of the leading Art Nouveau designers. Initially he had a highly successful career as an innovative jewellery designer, working for the likes of Cartier and Boucheron, and enjoying the patronage of the rich and famous. Sarah Bernhardt the actress wore his jewellery and the oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian amassed an extensive collection now on public display in Lisbon, Portugal.
Glass
From about 1894 Lalique began experimenting with glass and from the turn of the century worked almost exclusively exploring the possibilities of the medium. The range of items he produced was extensive, including jewellery, scent bottles, powder bowls, table wares, desk accessories, car mascots, sculptural forms, furniture and mirrors, architectural fitments and lighting.
Lalique glass was produced in a range of colours, in a spectrum from deep amber, to red, orange, yellow, green, electric and sapphire blue, through to agate, smoky-grey and cased-white. No one at the time, or subsequently, has been able to quite mimic his famous opalescent glass, loved for its milky-blue tones. Many of the works he created in clear and frosted glass have additional coloured staining that highlights the intricacies of his patterns.
Less common are his cire perdue pieces - unique works he made using the lost wax technique more often associated with the casting of bronze. The form is worked in wax and then covered in plaster. The wax is then heated and removed in a liquid form and replaced by molten glass. Once cooled, the plaster mould is then discarded. Cire perdue pieces are not usually polished and are opaque with fine detailing and a richness of texture.
His work has always been associated with luxury, quality and artistry.
Discover more from our Specialist
For a free auction estimate or to discuss consigning property for sale please contact Joy McCall on 07810 301525.
