René Lalique (1860-1945) Vase 'Gui' or Mistletoe

About this piece

This vase with the refined decoration featuring mistletoe ('Gui' in French) is a beautiful design by René Lalique from 1920.

The exquisite way in which the mistletoe is intertwined with the vase is stunning. So elegant. This vase is made of opalescent glass, the berries and leaves are lightly polished for added accent.

The beauty of opalescent glass is that it takes on a milky blue-white colour when held up to light; when light is shone behind or through the vase, it takes on a golden yellow glow. René Lalique had a special recipe to achieve this effect optimally, using ingredients like arsenic and even real gold.

The vase is blown into the mould (soufflé moulé) and then carefully hand-finished. The vase bears model number 948, and the mould number is 1435.

This vase was produced relatively briefly because Lalique decided in the early 1930s to remove it, along with other vases, from the collection due to the depression. These vases were labour-intensive to make, still being blown into the mould rather than pressed, and finished by hand. The vase was only available from stock at that time. These vases are very popular among collectors today, partly because of their refined finish, but also because they are rarer due to the shorter production period.

The vase is signed 'R. Lalique' on the bottom.

Biography:

René Lalique (1860-1945) began his career as an apprentice jeweller at the age of 16. After spending two years in England as an apprentice, he established his own business as a jewellery designer in 1880. He quickly achieved success, particularly after showcasing his work at the Universal Exhibition of 1900 in Paris, solidifying his reputation in the industry.

Starting from around 1890, Lalique developed a keen interest in glass and began incorporating it into his designs. He expanded his expertise by acquiring the necessary tools and equipment, and he deepened his knowledge, particularly in colouring and moulding techniques. In 1905, he received commissions from François Coty to design various perfume bottles, leading him to experiment with new styles and techniques, including the use of moulds and pressed glass.

In 1912, Lalique embarked on his second career as a master glass artist, driven by his desire to create innovative and unique pieces. Alongside small glass objects like jewellery and perfume bottles, he also created significant works such as vases, lamps, tableware, clocks, car mascots, and architectural glass applications like door handles and wall panels.

Following World War I, the French government offered Lalique a factory in Alsace at a nominal cost, as Alsace had returned to French control. He established a new glass factory in Wingen-sur-Moder, where he predominantly produced his pressed glass vases. By the mid-1930s, he had closed his Paris factory, consolidating production in Wingen-sur-Moder, where it continued after his death in 1945 under the management of his family.

René Lalique is regarded as one of the preëminent glass artists in the world. His work is celebrated globally and can be found in museums worldwide. Several museums are dedicated exclusively to Lalique, including the Lalique Museum in Doesburg, the Netherlands, and the Musée Lalique in Wingen-sur-Moder, France, as well as institutions in Hakone, Japan, and many others.

Literature:
- Félix Marcilhac, ‘R. Lalique, Catalogue raisonné de l’oeuvre de verre’, Les Éditions de l’Amateur, Paris 2011, p. 427.
- Christopher Vane Percy; 'The glass of Lalique, a collectors guide', Studio Vista, Cassell & Collier Macmillan Publishers Ltd, London, 1977. P.31.
- Philippe Olland; 'Dictionnaire des Maîtres Verriers de l'Art Nouveau á l'Art Déco, Marques & signatures'. Éditions Faton 2016. P. 192-199.
- Victor Arwas, 'Glass, Art Nouveau to Art Deco'. Academy Editions London 1987. P. 179-193.

Condition

There is an enclosed black pinhead in the neck; it is visible but not tangible.