The vast majority of cameo and mould blown glass lamps produced by the Gallé cristallerie were not made until well after the death of Émile Gallé in 1904.
It was not until the end of his career that the renowned French verrier was to embrace the full potential of his glass as lamps for electric light. This is perhaps unsurprising as the medium was still relatively experimental and by no means ubiquitous or stable. Gallé for example did not install electricity in his own home until 1902.
If he was hesitant at first however, by 1900 Gallé was giving full expression to this new range, the sinuous plant and floral forms previously restricted to vases and other vessels now glowing from within by means of this thrilling new light source.
One of the types of lamp made at this time were ‘Corolla’ lamps, with cased glass bodies moulded with the fine veining of petals either mounted in bronze or ormolu in various configurations. Lamps made in the artist’s lifetime are rare and make them highly desirable at auction.
