A look at Lalique...

The British & Continental Ceramics & Glass Auction at McTear’s this month is set to be an exciting sale, fit to bursting with fine glass from acclaimed French glasshouses including Lalique, Daum, Gallé and Sabino. Many of the tremendous items in this auction hail from one impressive private Scottish collection, which we are delighted to offer for sale on 8 April.

 A standout of the sale is a truly tremendous selection of Lalique glass, with the auction comprising a total of 30 lots by the French maker. The collection comes with auction estimates to encompass the widest range of budgets, from an attractive Lalique glass paperweight modelled as an owl (est. £60-90) to a range of pre-War era Lalique glass vases, including a stunning Lalique ‘Ronces’ vase (est. £3000-5000).

Whilst this auction showcases a jaw dropping collection of glass ware by the French glasshouse, this is not the only craft for which the Lalique name is celebrated.  Originally a jeweller by trade, René Lalique (1860-1945) worked for jewellery houses including Cartier and Boucheron before taking over his first workshop in 1885. Innovative in his fusion of precious materials with semi-precious stone, ivory, horn, enamel and glass, the jewellery of René Lalique had gained huge popularity before, in 1890, he began to transition into glass ware. In the decades to follow, René Lalique devoted himself to glassmaking, with the 1925 International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris arguably marking the pinnacle of René Lalique’s glassmaking career.

A number of phenomenal Lalique vases in the upcoming Ceramics & Glass Auction date from this fine period of Lalique’s history, in a diverse selection that showcases the innovative and impactful designs of René Lalique. The highlights of the wonderful Lalique collection in this sale are simply too numerous to list, though can be viewed in all their glory in our full illustrated catalogue. 

Click here to view the full catalogue. >>

Hannah Murphy

The next British & Continental Ceramics & Glass Auction is now open to entries. If you have something you’d like to see included, email hannahmurphy@mctears.co.uk or james@mctears.co.uk for a free, no obligation auction estimate.