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People who have been collecting glass awhile have probably heard of Rene Lalique glass.  He is the mastermind behind a lot of dazzling creations.  His colored glass is especially sought after by people who have been collecting glass for awhile.  Creations by Rene Lalique include perfume bottles, vases, jewelry, chandeliers, and hood ornaments for cars.

He was born in France on April 6, 1860 and died on May 5,1945.  Lalique is famous for being recognized at one of France’s best art nouveau jewelry designers by 1890.  Art nouveau is characterized by wonderful creations of dancing nymphs, fish, dragonflies, and foliage.  He created beautiful pieces for the new Paris shop Maison de l’Art Nouveau, owned by Samuel Bing.  His career in art nouveau culminated in when he was crowned the greatest art nouveau jeweler at the 1900 Paris exhibition.

Rene Lalique’s early works used a technique where a model is created in wax.  Then, a mold is formed around the model.  The wax is melted and replaced with molten glass.  His glass was made using this technique until around 1905 when the factory was redesigned to produce more of his valued glass.  This ended the period where each item of glass produced by Lalique was unlike any other piece.

His glass is typically crystal in combination with acid-etched relief.  Lalique continually stretched his creativity and responded to changing technology.  This caused him to create gorgeous items in as many as ten colors including red, amber, and green.  They were sometimes accented with enameling.  His colored glass, especially those that include black, are very rare.  More advanced glass collectors seek this type of glass.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Lalique took some cues from American Indian art in his style of vases in bowls.  He also developed a line of glass that uses the art deco style.  He decorated his glass with birds, floral arrangements, and creative designs.

His glass was signed with an engraving in the mold of “R. Lalique.”  When Lalique died in 1945, the signature was no longer used.  His son Marc took over the company.  Their glass firm is still working today.  If you find glass with Rene Lalique’s signature, it is most likely worth a lot of money.  A quick search of the internet provides access to many collectors who will pay top dollar for Lalique glass.

If you’re a serious glass collector, consider adding the brilliance and superb craftsmanship of Lalique glass to your collection.