HISTORY OF LALIQUE

BY LOUISE IRVINE - WMODA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CURATOR

As urban migration increased in the late 19th century, designers turned to nature as their main source of inspiration. Stylized flowers and organic forms brought nostalgic memories of nature into modern life during the Art Nouveau era. One of the pioneers of this movement was René Lalique, the French jewelry and glass designer. As a child, Lalique explored the fields and forests of rural France, mesmerized by nature’s miracles. He attended school in Paris where he became a skilled draughtsman by the age of 12. He studied botany and his natural talent for drawing insects and flowers proved invaluable in his chosen career. Lalique’s father was a merchant of luxury goods and on his death Lalique was apprenticed to a jeweler. The apex of his jewelry career was the Paris exhibition of 1900 where crowds flocked to see his dramatic designs for stars of the stage, such as Sarah Bernhardt.

Lalique’s innovative use of semi-precious materials in jewelry led him to explore the decorative possibilities of glass. As one reviewer noted, Lalique had ‘’freed us from the tyranny of the diamond.’’ In 1905, Lalique received a commission from Francoise Coty to design perfume bottles and he produced 16 Coty bottles between 1909 and 1913, which revolutionized the perfume industry. To keep up with production, he rented a glass factory in Combs-la-Ville where he also made vases and decorative accessories for the home. Lalique’s stylized motifs continued to be drawn from nature, whether it be dragonflies with their shimmering filigree wings or kingfishers in flight with their spectacular plumage and dazzling colors.

In 1921, Lalique opened his own glassworks at Wingen sur Moder in Alsace, which was an established glass making region. With expert local craftsmen, he perfected different methods of molding relieffigured designs in glass. To make his designs more affordable, he utilized machine production without sacrificing his artistic integrity. Lalique’s stunning vases were made using three main techniques: mold-blowing, mold-pressing and cire perdue, which is blowing into a lost wax mold. He became renowned for his innovative decorative processes combining frosted and clear glass and often included acid etching and applied patina. He developed an array of colors ranging from sea green to sky blue to glowing amber. The cased glass colors were achieved by bonding layers of glass together to create deeper colors and patterned surfaces. Shoals of fish in iridescent colors were a favorite motif for Lalique vases, often swimming among fronds of seaweed. In 1925, Lalique began creating crystal car mascots for radiator caps, which became status symbols on the most prestigious automobiles of his day. More than 30 cast glass mascots were produced, including sleek stylized animals, birds and fish. His beautiful opalescent glass was used to create sensual sculptures, vases, bowls, clocks, dressing table sets, and smoking accessories for the new women of the roaring twenties. The triumph of Lalique’s career as a glassmaker was the Paris Exhibition of 1925, which defined the Art Deco style. Sadly, the demand for luxury goods declined internationally after the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the onslaught of the Great Depression during the 1930s. Lalique permanently closed his factory at Combsla-Ville in 1937 and World War Two forced the temporary closure of his factory at Wingen. René Lalique died in 1945, the day after allied victory was declared, and his son, Marc, reopened the factory. Lalique crystal continues to be made there today.

THE COLLECTION OF MARIE-CLAUDE LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1935-2003)

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Sunday September 10, 2023 | 2PM EDT

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The upcoming auction of Marie-Claude Lalique’s collection, granddaughter of renowned glass artist René Lalique, is set to be a momentous event, featuring over 250 Lalique items encompassing vases, bowls, perfume bottles, furniture, figurines, and more. This exceptional assembly pays homage to Lalique’s legacy, showcasing the seamless fusion of artistry and functionality that characterizes their style. A testament to generations of creativity, the auction not only offers a chance to own a piece of Lalique history but also embodies the dedication of Marie-Claude Lalique in preserving her family’s artistic heritage, inviting enthusiasts to be part of this narrative of innovation and passion.

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Bidding Increments

$0 - $10 | $1

$10 - $30 | $5

$30 - $200 | $10

$200 - $500 | $25

$500 - $1000 | $50

$1000 - $5000 | $100

$5000 - $10000 | $250

$10000 - $20000 | $500

$20000 - $50000 | $1000

$50000 - $100000 | $2500

$100000 - $1,000,000 | $10000

LALIQUE AMETHYST CRYSTAL CABOCHON BRACELET

Bracelet with five crystal cabochons and a fold-over clasp. Lalique France stamped inside and on the clasp.

Dimensions: 7.5”L x 1”W

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

2PC LALIQUE AQUA BLUE CRYSTAL CABOCHON BRACELET AND 14K GOLD RING

14k stamped inside band. Ring size 7. Bracelet with five aqua crystal cabochons and measures 7.5”L x 1”W. Lalique France stamp.

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE GREEN CRYSTAL CABOCHON BRACELET

Bracelet with five crystal cabochons and a fold-over clasp. Lalique France stamped inside and on the clasp.

Dimensions: 7.5”L x 1”W

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE ORANGE CRYSTAL 14K GOLD CABOCHON RING

14k stamped inside band and Lalique France stamped on back. Ring size 7.

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE GREEN FOLIAGE CRYSTAL CABOCHON RING

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE GREEN CRYSTAL CABOCHON RING

Size 7 domed ring. Signed Lalique in script on the band.

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CLEAR CRYSTAL CABOCHON RING Size 6.75 domed ring. Signed Lalique in script on the band.

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL HELICONIA AMBER LEAF PENDANT

Inspired by the tropical Heliconia plants of the Caribbean. Marked Lalique France on gold plated back.

Dimensions: 2.5”L x 1.25”W

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL HELICONIA LEAF PENDANT

Inspired by the tropical Heliconia plants of the Caribbean. Marked Lalique France on gold plated back.

Dimensions: 2.5”L x 1.25”W

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL HELICONIA BLUE LEAF PENDANT

Inspired by the tropical Heliconia plants of the Caribbean. Marked Lalique France on gold plated back.

Dimensions: 2.5”L x 1.25”W

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE STERLING SILVER SMOKEY GREY CABOCHON CRYSTAL PENDANT

Sterling silver pendant with a grey crystal cabochon.

Dimensions: 1” dia.

LALIQUE OPALESCENT AMOUREUSE A LA FOLIE HEART PENDANT

Pendant is composed of a crystal heart with a silver loop stamped Lalique.

Dimensions: 1.25”L x 1.5”W

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL HELICONIA BROWN LEAF STICKPIN BROOCH

Inspired by the tropical Heliconia plants of the Caribbean. Marked Lalique France on gold plated back.

Dimensions: 4.5”L x 1”W

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL 8.5” EXTRA LARGE PERFUME BOTTLE, DAHLIA

An extra large perfume bottle with stopper. Satin finish in the shape of a flower with black enameled points. Marked Lalique France on bottom.

Dimensions: 6.5”L x 3”W x 8.5”H

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL CACTUS PERFUME BOTTLE

A fogged crystal perfume bottle made to resemble a cactus with black points for the cactus spikes. Signed Lalique France.

Dimensions: 3.25”L x 3.25”W x 4”H

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, FLORIDE

Clear, raised design on body and stopper with green crystal appointments throughout. Lalique etched mark.

Issued: c. 1956

Dimensions: 4”L x 4”W x 7”H

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, DAHLIA FLASK

A frosted crystal bottle molded as a Dahlia flower with black center. Includes frosted stopper. Lalique France etched on the base.

Issued: c. 1931

Dimensions: 5.5”L x 2.5”W x 6.75”H

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, DEUX FLEURS

A frosted and clear bottle in the shape of two flowers with single flower stopper. Lalique France etched to bottom.

Dimensions: 3.75”L x 1”W x 4”H

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CLAIREFONTAINE PERFUME BOTTLE AND STOPPER

A clear crystal perfume bottle that has a flowered plant as its stopper. Bottle signed Lalique France.

Dimensions: 3.5”L x 2.25”W x 5”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

MARC LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1900-1977) NINA RICCI

PERFUME BOTTLE, L’AIR DU TEMPS

A large clear bottle with a swirl design, adorned with a stopper sculpted as two doves in a frosted satin finish.

Artist: Marc Lalique (French, 1900-1977)

Issued: c. 1951

Dimensions: 8.5”L x 7.5”W x 12.5”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE FOR COEUR JOIE BY NINA RICCI CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE

A vintage clear and frosted heart shaped perfume bottle adored with flowers, and a butterfly on the stopper. Coeur Joie Nina Ricci marked on edge. Bottle Made by Lalique France etched on the base.

Artist: Nina Ricci

Dimensions: 3.75”L x 1.25”W x 5.75”H

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, DEUX ANEMONES

A vintage clear round bottle with a stopper comprised of two anemone blossoms in a frosted crystal and black pistils. Lalique France etched on the stopper stem and on the base of the bottle.

Dimensions: 5.5”L x 4”W 6.25”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

Starting Bid: $20

Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, GRAND POMME

A satin apple shaped bottle with a clear leaf stopper. Lalique France etched on the base.

Issued: c. 1980

Dimensions: 5”L x 5”W x 5.5”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL LE NU PERFUME BOTTLE AND STOPPER

A clear crystal perfume bottle with a stopper that is designed as a nude woman sitting down. Perfume bottle signed Lalique France.

Dimensions: 3”L x 3”W x 4.25”H

Starting Bid: $20

Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, DUNCAN

A clear bottle with reliefs of nude dancers on frosted center panel on both the front and back. Includes frosted stopper. Lalique France etched on the base.

Dimensions: 3.5”L x 2”W x 7.74”H

LALIQUE CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE, PERLES DE LALIQUE

A clear crystal perfume bottle with black dots around the perimeter and its lid. Original perfume in bottle. Lalique manufacturing sticker.

Dimensions: 1.5”L x 1.5”W x 4”H

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

RENE LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1860-1945) CRYSTAL LIDDED VANITY BOX, ROGER

Opalescent cabochon and black enamel edged top surrounded with exotic bird panels and fruiting vine work. Marked Lalique France to underside.

Artist: Rene Lalique

Dimensions: 2”H x 5” dia.

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL COVERED POWDER BOX, HONEYSUCKLE

A frosted and clear round puff box decorated with elegant foliage pattern. Marked Lalique France to underside.

Dimensions: 3”H x 6” dia.

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL DECORATIVE BOX, DAHLIA

A vintage clear and satin finish crystal round box with black enameled center on the lid. Lalique France etched on base.

Dimensions: 4.75”W x 2.75”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CRYSTAL LIDDED BOX, ENFANTS

A clear crystal trinket box that is decorated with relief patterns of infants throughout the center along with rose bud designs on the lid. Signed Lalique France.

Dimensions: 4”L x 4”W x 3”H

Starting Bid: $10 Est: $10 - $200

RENE LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1860-1945) FESTONS CRYSTAL PICTURE FRAME

A fogged crystal picture frame that has a wave pattern border. Picture size: 9.5”L x 6.5”W. Signed R. Lalique, France.

Artist: Rene Lalique

Issued: c. 1932

Dimensions: 15”L x 12”W x 2.5”H

Starting Bid: $200

Est: $2000 - $3000

LALIQUE CRYSTAL DESK CLOCK, ANTOINETTE

Original created as a teaching clock. A satin finish table clock with black enamel numbers and birds perched on the top. Lalique France and N084 etched on the base.

Issued: c. 1931

Dimensions: 4”L x 3”W x 6”H

Starting Bid: $20

Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL CHAT HORLOGE TABLE CLOCK

A clear crystal plaque that holds a clock in the center and has a decorative cat designed at the top and a mouse etched at the bottom. Clock contains Lalique logo. Plaque signed Lalique France.

Dimensions: 7.5”L x 2.5”W x 8”H

MARIE-CLAUDE LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1935-2003) CRYSTAL TABLE CLOCK FRAME, HIBOU

A satin and clear frame for a circular clock. Depicts a raised relief of three owls huddled together. Lalique France etched on side.

Artist: Marie-Claude Lalique (French, 1935-2003)

Dimensions: 7.5”L x 2.25”W x 7.25”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

RENE LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1860-1945) OMEGA CRYSTAL DESK CLOCK, ANTOINETTE

Known oas the Clock of Eight Days. Round Omega clock with amber colored numbers. Pair of frosted lovebirds perched on top. Lalique etched mark in base.

Artist: Rene Lalique

Dimensions: 4”L x 2.5”W x 5.5”H

Starting Bid: $20

Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL MANTEL CLOCK, IRIS

Vintage clear clock with reliefs of irises in frosted finish. A chrome frame clock face with Lalique printed on the front. Lalique France etched on the bottom front.

Dimensions: 8”L x 3.5”W x 6.75”H

Starting Bid: $10

Est: $10 - $200

LALIQUE CHAMPS ELYSEES OAK LEAF WALL SCONCE

A Lalique clear crystal wall sconce with two veined leaves mounted on chromium plated base. Each leaf signed Lalique France.

Dimensions: 10”L x 8.5”W x 11”H

Starting Bid: $300 Est: $3000 - $5000

MARC LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1900-1977) CHAMPS ELYSEES OAK LEAF WALL SCONCE

Clear crystal wall sconce with two veined leaves mounted on chromium plated base. Each leaf signed Lalique France.

Artist: Marc Lalique (1900-1977)

Dimensions: 10”L x 8.5”W x 11”H

Starting Bid: $300 Est: $3000 - $5000

MARC LALIQUE (FRENCH, 1900-1977) PAIR OF WALL SCONCES, CHENE OAK LEAF

A set of two wall sconces that have three fogged crystal detachable oak leaves as the centerpiece with a round fogged crystal base and metal frame. Each crystal item signed Lalique France.

Artist: Marc Lalique (1900-1977)

Dimensions: 11”L x 10”W x 6”H

Starting Bid: $300 Est: $3000 - $5000

PAIR OF LALIQUE CRYSTAL HURRICANE LAMPS, SAINT FRANCOIS

A set of 2 molded frosted crystal lamps with silver metaled drip pans and cylindrical hurricane shades. Lalique France etched on the bases.

Issued: c. 1991

Dimensions: 7.25”W x 15.5”H

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800

LALIQUE CRYSTAL ART DECO WALL MIRROR, BOUTONS DE ROSES

A gorgeous timeless hanging mirror embossed with satin finish stylized flowers set against an oval shaped, chrome-tone frame. Lalique France etched on side.

Dimensions: 9.75”W x 8”H

LALIQUE CRYSTAL KORA LAMP

Dimensions: 17.75”L x 5”W x 7.5”H

Starting Bid: $80 Est: $800 - $2000

Starting Bid: $20 Est: $200 - $800