LONDON.- A jade green ‘Alicante’ glass vase, designed in 1927, sold for an impressive £43,750 at Bonhams Knightsbridge yesterday (20 February). Doubling its initial estimate of £20,000-30,000, the vase made an auction record for the model. The sale of the large private collection of masterpieces by glassmaker René Lalique, assembled during the past 20 years, made a total of £570,638.

Also in the sale; a 'Sauterelles' Vase, designed in 1913, sold for £22,500 (estimate: £4,000-6,000), and a ‘Grande Boule Lierre’ vase (1923) made £20,000 (estimate: £18,000-22,000).

Bonhams Department Director of 20th Century Decorative Arts, Mark Oliver, commented "This is a landmark sale for Bonhams and we are delighted that the Alicante vase made an auction record. The high prices achieved for our sale show the sustained demand that René Lalique’s timeless pieces still command."

Other highlights included:

• A 'Gros Scarabées' Vase, designed in 1923, made from a deep amber glass. Sold for £20,000

• A 'Vitesse' Car Mascot, designed in 1929, sold for £16,250

• A 'Tête de Paon' Car Mascot, designed in 1928, sold for £16,250

• A ‘Faune et Figures’ Box and Cover, designed in 1910, sold for £15,000