Rene Lalique

y Tradition of Genius: Rene, Marc, andplates, sculptures and hood ornaments, ornaments
Marie-Claude LaLiqueand a huge array of common every day objects
In 1876, when Rene LaLique was apprenticed toin Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles through the
the Parisian jeweler, Louis Aucoq, few would1920s and 1930s. In 1939 his factory was
guess that he would become the most importantimpounded by the invading German forces, and it
figure in Art Noveau and Art Deco movements indid not resume production until after his death at
the early twentieth century. Even later in 1883,the end of the war in 1945. He is buried in Paris.
when he was freelancing for several leadingIn 1948, His son Marc reopened the shop and
jewelry producers in Paris and designing jewelrybegan producing glass once more. Using both his
for the rich and famous throughout Europe andfathers moulds and his own designs he began to
America, it would have been unlikely anyone couldcomplete the changeover in the product to full
have foreseen his future.lead crystal.
It was only when he received a commission toWhile heavily influenced by his fathers stylistic
produce perfume labels, and also bottles, thatsense, Marc also produced many items of
Rene turned to working with glass. Since thatsuperlative beauty.
point, the Lalique family has been producingThe Lalique Glass factory continued for many
wonderful Art Nouveau and Art Deco and otheryears producing both art glass objects and
art glass objects for our fascination andcommercial items such as perfume bottles. In the
enjoyment for over one hundred and twenty five1950s, Marcs daughter Marie-Claude joined him in
years.the operations and design of new glass, and
Working in the lead glass medium that lends itselfpartnered with him until his death in 1977.
so well to blow moulding and pressed patternSince that time, she has carried on the family
glass techniques, Lalique Glass has been one ofbusiness and Lalique remains a vital art glass
the most important influences in the art glasscentre in the French art community.
world.Lalique Glass has appeared in many unique and
Born in 1860 in Ay, Marne, France, Rene Laliqueinteresting applications through the family creative
was apprenticed to a jeweler at the age of 16.past.
Leaving that to go to art school in England fromIt has graced no less than 29 automobiles as
1878 to 1880, he returned and was employedhood ornaments and it has been made into walls
variously by several major jewelry houses in Parisand columns in the luxury dining room of the
until 1886, when he opened his own shop. Heocean liner Normandie. Lalique has become an
produced jewelry for many rich and famousintegral part of the glass church on the channel
patrons including the actress Sarah Bernhardt.island of Jersey, as an altar piece and baptismal
He also supplied the Oil Financier CalousteFont.
Gulbenkian (a noted collector) with superb originalRenes work is in museums all over the world
jewellery.from England to Tokyo, from New York to
Over the next few years he won several majorAustralia.
awards and prizes for his designs in importantThousands of individuals are able to own a vase,
European exhibitions.or a bowl, or even a sculpture designed by one of
In the early 1900s he was designing perfumethe LaLiques. The beautiful work from the Lalique
bottles for several of the most important Frenchfamily has graced the world and this is evident in
perfume firms, and was moving away from theevery major art centre worldwide, and will be
design and production of jewelry in favor of moreappreciated with those who love such things
and more designs in lead glass and crystal. Heforever.
produced many items from his new workshops,Lalique has resurfaced as a major Glassmaker
employing up to 500 craftsmen.recently producing art glass in truly stunning
Rene made many incredibly beautiful limiteddesigns.
production items such as vases, boxes, bowls and