Rene Lalique (René-Jules) was renown as an Art Deco glass designer but he started work as an innovative Art Nouveau jeweler who incorporated glass into many of his creations.
Lalique was the undisputed master of Art Nouveau jewlry. He created a wide variety of attractive designs in a range of prices which were in high demand across Europe and beyond, thus fulfilling his dream of making well designed decorative glassware available to everyone. Reference: The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
Nature was a pivotal theme in his work, his appreciation stemming from time spent sketching in the French countryside during his childhood holidays. His work often incorporates botanically correct and careful depictions of plants and flowers. Reference: Bonhams.
Below are some examples and price guides of some Art Nouveau items by Rene Lalique including an example of his maker’s mark and a gold, silver and lapiz lazuli letter opener
Lalique Maker’s Mark
Lalique Aquamarine and Enamel Brooch
Designed as two facing dragonflies applied with blue and green plique-à-jour enamel wings and enamel bodies, set in the center with a lozenge-shaped aquamarine, suspending a drop-shaped aquamarine, signed Lalique; circa 1903-1904.
Sold for 75,600 at Sotheby’s in 2020 USD
AN ART NOUVEAU ENAMEL, PÂTE DE VERRE AND CITRINE BROOCH, BY LALIQUE, CIRCA 1900-1905 The cushion-shaped citrine within a surround of intertwined blue enamelled stems, issuing white opalescent pâte de verre poppies with blue stamens, engraved on the reverse, mounted in gold, signed Lalique, length 7.6cm
Sold for £ 69,000 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2020
RENÉ LALIQUE (1860-1945) Letter Opener, circa 1900 silver, gold, lapis lazulis, chrysoprase, horn 13 ½ in. (34.3 cm.) long impressed LALIQUE and with French assay mark
Sold for USD 115,000 at Christie’s in 2019
Art Nouveau Gold, Opal and Plique-à-Jour Enamel Ring, René Lalique, France 18 kt., centering a bezel-set oval cabochon opal ap. 1.75 cts., the band designed with lavender enamel flowers & green enamel tendrils aganist a bluish-green plique-à-jour enamel background,signed Lalique, with French assay marks, c. 1890, ap. 6 dwts. Size 6 1/4.
Sold for $11,875 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2019
An Unusual Art Nouveau Gilt Invitation Plaque, René Lalique, Circa 1905, depicting a woman in profile, her hair decorated with a crown of leaves and berries, the base inscribed “Invitation à l’Exposition de R Lalique 24 Place Vendôme”, marked “RL” in the hair, the plaque measuring approximately 67.50 mm wide.
Sold for $10,000 at Hindman in 2017
