From its founding until the 1900s-1910s, Lalique was one of France’s foremost Art Nouveau jewellery designers. As the fashion for Art Nouveau peaked, Lalique moved on, and in the first two decades of the twentieth century the company transitioned into one of the world’s most renowned makers of artistic glass objects. In 1921, Rene Lalique founded the Alsace glassworks factory in Wingen-sur-Moder, which remains as the company’s sole production facility. René Lalique’s products, made by means of a combination of mould and blown methods and in a variety of different finishes, embraced the clean lines of the new geometric style of the Art Deco movement and by the time of the landmark 1925 Exposition des Arts Decoratifs - the Paris trade show that gave Art Deco its name - Lalique was a well-known name and a key participant.
Lot 18 - Grande Libellule, R. Lalique glass car mascot - estimate £2,000 - £3,000
The company has continued to work in glass, crystal, jewellery and perfumery to this day. It has endured as one of the ultimate symbols of French design and luxury and its works are as collectable and popular as ever.
Like most things in the antiques world, prices have fluctuated for Lalique but for the rarest pieces, demand remains strong, and values have been solid in recent years. The market is international, with a large pool of both private collectors and dealers throughout the UK and France, but also in Asia and the US. As a brand, Lalique has shops selling its modern production in most major cities around the world, giving them luxury status and with this comes a near automatic following for the earlier and rarer pieces. The range of patterns from Lalique have been less susceptible to the whims of fashion than the colours or finishes, however the general rule is that opalescent or coloured pieces are more highly prized than clear or frosted glass examples.
Lot 17 - R. Lalique topaz glass seal, designed 1926, modelled as a crouching fox, together wtih Poisson, a Lalique frosted amber glass seal - estimate £300 - £500
In May 2018, Cheffins offered 54 pieces of antique Lalique glass, which were sold to a mixture of private collectors and trade buyers from the UK and Europe. The highlight was a rare espalion vase which made £4,000 alone. With this in mind, we expect the collection of Lalique which will be offered at the Art & Design Sale this month ought to draw a great deal of interest.
Consigned from three different private collections, there will be 20 quality Lalique pieces on offer, and one of the leading lots will be a Lalique Grand Libellule car mascot, which has an estimate of £2,000 - £3,000. Designed around 1928, the Grand Libellule is one of thirty or so mascots René Lalique created between 1925 – 1931. Also on offer will be a Lalique glass easel clock, designed in 1926, which has an estimate of £700 - £1,000.
Lot 15 - Volubilis, an R. Lalique amber glass bowl, estimate £200 - £400
The Art & Design Sale will take place on Thursday 26th May, to view the Lalique pieces available, please click here.