Lalique - a passion for crystal glass
A World of Crystal – Vases, Glassware, and Sculptures by Lalique
Timeless, incomparable, unforgettable. Lalique has embodied the French art of living since 1888. The crystal creations from this traditional manufacturer shine like light turned into form through the artistic genius of founder René Lalique, whose work – from Art Nouveau to Art Deco – shaped the aesthetic of a nation.
Whether jewellery, decorative objects, interior design or gastronomy, the iconic crystal pieces are at the heart of Lalique’s universe. The house’s hallmark lies in the contrast between satin and clear finishes, lending its creations effortless elegance and organic grace. Join Artedona on a journey through Lalique’s rich history, from small sculptures and splendid vases to extensive crystal collections that have enchanted generations with magical beauty and enigmatic sophistication.
From Art Nouveau to Art Deco – The Genius of René Lalique
In 1882, a young jewellery designer named René Lalique quickly made a name for himself among Parisian jewellers. His designs broke with all traditions, striking a chord precisely because of their originality. Inspired by nature, he chose motifs such as flowers and animals, and preferred materials like glass, mother-of-pearl, enamel, and horn over gold and precious stones. His unprecedented interplay of shapes and colours became the hallmark of a new style: Art Nouveau.
His avant-garde designs became so sought after that by 1886 he had opened his own studio on Place Gaillon in Paris. At the 1900 Paris World’s Fair, he was hailed as the “inventor of modern jewellery”. Yet driven by a desire to create objects the world had never seen, Lalique turned away from jewellery and dedicated himself to the material of glass. Thus began his transformation from Art Nouveau jeweller to Art Deco glass master.
From Glass to Crystal – A Pioneer of French Excellence
After meeting perfumer François Coty in 1907, Lalique soon collaborated with prominent names like Roger & Gallet, D’Orsay and Lucien. Lalique perfume bottles became symbols of a new lifestyle and laid the foundations for the global prestige of French perfume. In 1921, Lalique opened his own glassworks in the Alsatian town of Wingen-sur-Moder, still the brand’s only production site today.
René Lalique’s creative talent knew no bounds. In addition to perfume bottles and the then-popular ashtrays, his glassworks produced iconic car mascots for sought-after brands such as Citroën, Bentley, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce. In 1929, he decorated parts of the Côte d’Azur Pullman Express, and in 1935, the legendary ocean liner SS Normandie with spectacular decorative elements. Lalique glass achieved global fame as a style icon of the Art Deco era.
In 1945, René’s son Marc Lalique took over the company. He discontinued the production of standard glass and focused exclusively on fine crystal. With modern design icons such as the “L’Air du Temps” perfume bottle for Nina Ricci and the timeless “Cactus” table, he established Lalique Crystal as a global symbol of exceptional quality “Made in France”.
In 1977, Marc’s daughter Marie-Claude Lalique took the reins. She introduced coloured crystal, revived the jewellery line, and launched a perfume division of her own. Since 2008, Lalique has been part of the Swiss firm Art & Fragrance, now known as the Lalique Group. The house’s historic works can be admired in museums across the globe, from the in-house museum in Wingen-sur-Moder to the Corning Museum of Glass and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The Craftsmanship of Haute-Couture Crystal
To this day, Lalique remains true to the visual language of its founder. Timeless motifs from the worlds of flora, fauna, and femininity are transformed into pioneering designs with bold forms and clean lines, all informed by a modern artistic sensibility. To achieve this, the glassworks masterfully combines traditional and contemporary production techniques.
Over several months of meticulous manual work, 3D-printed prototypes are remodelled in wax. These wax models are then used to create hollow moulds in the lost-wax process, which are filled with molten crystal. Once the mould is broken to reveal the piece, the laborious finishing process begins. Each creation is sanded and polished in intricate detail to achieve Lalique’s signature interplay of matte and clear surfaces.
Each piece undergoes rigorous quality control before being signed by hand as a mark of authenticity and excellence. This dedication to craftsmanship is honoured by the French government with the title “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company), a globally respected seal of traditional skill and excellence “à la française”.
New and Classic Style Icons by Lalique
Over the course of many stylistic eras, Lalique has produced countless timeless design icons. The spectacular Bacchantes vases were designed by René Lalique in 1927. With extraordinary plasticity, a ring of dancing women emerges from the shimmering crystal, fusing the elegance of classical statues and bas-reliefs with the vitality of modern works such as Henri Matisse’s “La Danse”.
The Mossi vases and candleholders elevate the play of matte and clear contrasts to the highest level. The polished crystal pearls against the satin finish create a dazzling array of visual effects. The Anemones series of vases and sculptures highlights the organic nature of satin crystal, making one forget that these delicate windflowers are made of glass.
Lalique glassware makes the brand’s magic tangible. The 100 Points glasses were created in collaboration with wine critic James Suckling and are perfectly suited for the most refined and pleasurable wine tastings. With their sleek, clear lines and satin-finished stems, they rest beautifully in the hand and embody French savoir-vivre at its finest with every sip.
