Lalique paperweight

Paperweights, used to hold down papers, and most commonly made in glass, evolved in Venice in the early nineteenth century, and spread to France via Bohemia about 1845, where the finest examples were produced by three factories: Baccarat, Clichy and St Louis. Examples from these manufacturers are mostly unmarked and widely faked and imitated and thus a minefield for the uninitiated. The most popular motif is millefiori ('thousand flowers'), though fruit, single flowers, insects, and other small objects are often used as well as portraits and view. The cheaper paperweights use air bubbles as decoration. The classic paperweights are round more... and domed, but lesser weights were also made in the form of pyramids and rectangles. The early period of paperweights is reckoned to have ended in 1870 but some 20th century manufacturers such as Lalique, Kosta Boda, Whitefriars and Caithness Glass have produced some fine examples. The great majority of paper weights are unmarked, and glass rarely shows its age.

Paperweights are also made in gold, silver, silver plate, hardstone, amber, ceramic, ivory, timber and other materials. less...

Lalique glass is named after its founder, René Lalique, who was born in Ay, a small town in France in 1860. Lalique was a French glass designer and artist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the Art Nouveau movement. Lalique's fascination with glass started at a young age when he was apprenticed to a jeweller. He later went on to study at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and then worked for several leading Parisian jewellers.

In 1885, Rene Lalique opened his own jewellery workshop in Paris, where he began to experiment with glass. more... He developed a new style of glass that was more translucent and refractive than traditional glass, and he began to incorporate it into his jewelry designs. Lalique's jewellery quickly gained popularity, and he became known as one of the leading designers of the Art Nouveau movement.

In the early 1900s, Lalique expanded his work into glassware and decorative objects. He created vases, bowls, perfume bottles, and other objects that were adorned with intricate designs and patterns. Lalique was particularly interested in the relationship between light and glass, and he experimented with different techniques to create a unique look for his glassware. He was also known for his use of natural forms and motifs, such as flowers, animals, and insects.

Lalique's glassware was highly sought after and was collected by many wealthy patrons. His work was exhibited at major exhibitions, including the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900 and the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Lalique also worked with other artists of the time, including the famous Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha.

After Lalique's death in 1945, his son Marc Lalique took over the business and continued to produce Lalique glassware. Under Marc's leadership, the company expanded its product line to include crystal sculptures, chandeliers, and other decorative objects. Marc Lalique also collaborated with other artists, such as Salvador Dalí and Georges Braque.

Lalique continues to produce a wide range of glassware and decorative objects, all of which are handmade and crafted using traditional techniques. Lalique glass can be found in museums and private collections around the world and is considered as one of the most iconic examples of Art Nouveau glass design. less...