Lalique

A Collector’s Guide to Lalique: Ten Defining Vases

22 January 2026

Joy McCall

Thinking of starting a Lalique collection?

Drawing on more than thirty years of experience in the field, Joy McCall, Head of Lalique at Lyon & Turnbull, has identified the ten René Lalique vase designs she most consistently encounters in established collections.

These works remain popular for not only for their beauty and technical brilliance, but for their ability to represent the breadth of Lalique’s vision - from naturalistic motifs and sculptural form to innovation in glassmaking. Whether acquired individually or built up over time, these designs form the backbone of many serious Lalique collections and offer a considered starting point for new collectors.

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Ceylan Vase, No. 905

Designed 1924

The Ceylan vase is a clear example of René Lalique’s mature Art Deco style. Four pairs of love birds are moulded in low relief around the body, set against a ground of circling foliage worked in intaglio. The contrast between raised and recessed decoration gives the surface depth, with the birds catching the light as the foliage falls away.

Introduced in 1924, the design reflects Lalique’s move towards simplified, stylised natural forms. The repeated motif of paired birds lends the vase a strong sense of balance and rhythm, while the symbolism of harmony and partnership has long appealed to collectors.

Bacchantes Vase, No. 997

Designed 1927

The Bacchantes vase is one of René Lalique’s most iconic and immediately recognisable designs. The body is formed as a continuous frieze of classical-style nude female figures moulded in high relief, encircling the vase between plain, unadorned bands that define the rim and foot.

Designed in 1927, the vase draws on classical antiquity, combining sculptural modelling with the clean symmetry of Art Deco design. The contrast between the richly modelled figures and the smooth, architectural bands heightens the drama of the composition and gives the vase a strong sense of presence.

“Collecting is about learning to recognise quality and balance over time. The pieces people return to are those where design, material and craftsmanship sit comfortably together.”

- Joy McCall, Head of Lalique

Formose Vase, No. 934

Designed 1924

The Formose vase takes the rounded form of a fish bowl, animated by a continuous frieze of fan-tailed fish circling the body. Their flowing fins and simplified outlines create a sense of movement, while the curved profile of the vase enhances the impression of depth and fluidity.

Designed in 1924, the vase reflects René Lalique’s interest in aquatic motifs and his ability to translate natural forms into controlled, decorative patterns. The repeated fish motif lends the design rhythm and cohesion, while the generous scale of the bowl allows the moulded detail to be fully appreciated.

Poissons Vase, No. 925

Designed 1921

The Poissons vase is one of René Lalique’s earliest explorations of aquatic themes in moulded glass. The rounded, fish-bowl form is decorated with fish depicted in low relief, their angular bodies and sharply defined fins creating a crisp, graphic surface.

Designed in 1921, the vase shows Lalique moving away from naturalistic modelling towards a more stylised, geometric approach. The contrast between the smooth curvature of the bowl and the precise, flattened relief of the fish gives the design clarity and restraint.

Perruches Vase, No. 876

Designed 1919

The Perruches vase features pairs of love birds perched among flowering prunus branches, moulded in low relief around the body of the vase. The decoration is delicately balanced, with the birds integrated into the branching forms rather than standing apart from them.

Designed in 1919, the vase reflects René Lalique’s continued interest in natural motifs, combined with an overall shouldered profile that draws on Eastern vessel forms. The restrained modelling and measured composition give the design a sense of calm and symmetry.

Department

Lalique

Ronces Vase, No. 946

Designed 1921

The Ronces vase is defined by its distinctive lozenge form, the body entirely covered with intertwining briars moulded in low relief. The tightly interlaced stems create a dense, all-over pattern that gives the surface texture and depth without overwhelming the underlying shape.

Designed in 1921, the vase reflects Lalique’s ability to combine natural imagery with disciplined form. The addition of a narrow solifleur neck introduces a vertical emphasis, offering a practical function while maintaining the clarity of the overall design.

Serpent vase, No. 896

Designed 1924

The Serpent vase is one of René Lalique’s most striking sculptural designs. The body of the vase is modelled as a coiled snake, its open mouth and bifurcated tongue forming a dramatic focal point within the composition.

Designed in 1924, the vase shows Lalique’s confidence in translating natural forms into bold, three-dimensional glass. The tightly coiled body creates a strong sense of tension and movement, while the simplified modelling keeps the design controlled rather than theatrical.

Acanthes vase, No. 902

Designed 1921

The Acanthes vase is decorated with spiny foliage stems moulded in low relief, wrapping rhythmically around the body of the vase. The use of clear and frosted glass creates contrast across the surface, giving the decoration definition and depth.

Designed in 1921, the vase reflects Lalique’s interest in botanical forms rendered with control and restraint. The sharpness of the acanthus leaves is balanced by the clarity of the underlying form, allowing ornament and structure to sit in harmony.

Archers vase, No. 893

Designed 1921

The Archers vase is decorated with a continuous frieze of naked archers raising their bows, set beneath overlapping birds in flight that encircle the upper body of the vase. The imagery is moulded in low relief, creating a layered surface that animates the shouldered form.

Designed in 1921, the vase brings together figurative and natural motifs within a carefully balanced composition. The rhythmic repetition of the archers contrasts with the movement of the birds above, lending the design both structure and momentum.

Sauterelles Vase, No. 888

Designed 1912

The Sauterelles vase is decorated with grasshoppers perched on bending blades of grass, moulded in low relief around the body of the vase. Behind them, a more concave, textured surface creates depth, allowing the insects to stand forward from the ground and giving the decoration a strong sense of layering.

Designed in 1912, the vase reflects René Lalique’s earlier, more naturalistic approach, before the full emergence of his Art Deco style. The detailed modelling of the insects and the careful treatment of surface texture demonstrate his close observation of the natural world.

Specialist

Joy McCall

Associate Director, Senior Design Specialist

Contact Joy or a member of our Design team about starting or expanding your Lalique collection today.