Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Happy birthday, Monsieur Lalique

René Lalique and his wife Alice, 1903 | carbon print photograph, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
   Side element of a corsage ornament with pinecones, 1900-1902 | gold, enamel and cast glass
   Pendant brooch with pink carnations, 1901-1902 | gold, enamel, pink sapphire, and cast glass
Vine and berries hair comb, about 1900 | gold and ivory
 Branch brooch with cherry blossoms, 1900-1902 | gold, diamond, and cast glass
Fringe necklace with blister pearls, about 1902-1903 | gold, enamel and pearl

Today is the 151st birthday of René Lalique (b.1860, France), the most important jeweler of the Art Nouveau period. His jewelry is fascinating because it flawlessly incorporates so many materials - metals, precious and semi precious stones, glass, enamel - in such sophisticated designs. It is difficult to believe that these pieces are over 100 years old - they seem so relevant! If I could go back in time and spend one day watching any artist at work, it would be him. Joyeux anniversaire, Monsieur Lalique!

All images taken from Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry by Yvonne J. Markowitz and Elyse Zorn Karlin, with contributions by Susan Ward

5 comments:

Zohar said...

That hair comb is amazing! Even though ivory makes me feel sorry for poor elephants :(

lauren said...

the haircomb! oh!
do you see how frizzy her hair is? it's sort of hilarious!

BaronessVonVintage said...

oh, that piece, second right. Guaranteed to make the wearer a living breathing Mucha goddess

Anonymous said...

Wow, that hair comb was amazing!

Feronia said...

That comb is divine!

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