LONDON.- A collection of over 120 pre-WW2 examples of Lalique glass will be offered at Bonhams 17 April sale, Les Objets Precieux de Lalique. Many of the objects for the Knightsbridge sale come from a single consignor - who collected over a thirty year period.

The sale will focus on the smaller and more delicate works that Lalique excelled at producing. An array of perfume bottles and powder bowls will be offered, alongside cachets, necklaces, pendants, dressing table pieces, bowls, plates and drinking glasses. Many of the pieces reflect Lalique’s appreciation of the female form and are beautifully executed in both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

Animal subjects and images from nature are also common to many of the pieces, and demonstrate the particular delicacy of touch and attention to detail that typifies Lalique’s designs.

Mark Oliver, Head of Decorative Arts at Bonhams says: "These precious objects in glass exude a mesmerising charm. They illustrate perfectly why pieces by Rene Lalique are as popular as ever with collectors all over the globe, and I anticipate a great demand for the objects as well as the illustrated catalogue we are producing."

René Lalique (1860-1945) originally worked as a jewellery designer, but went on to become one of the most important glass makers of the 20th century. At the age of 50, Lalique began to produce glassware, creating thousands of unique designs of which scent bottles are the most numerous.

Prior to this, perfume bottles had been regarded as simple functional items. But with the invention of synthetic oils, scent began to be mass produced. Lalique saw the opportunity to take an everyday item and turn it into an objet d’art. He became the pre-eminent manufacturer of this new art form, designing and producing hundreds of Lalique perfume bottles for dozens of firms.

Lalique was considered a pioneer in glassmaking, developing and patenting new techniques where prevailing moulding methods could not achieve his innovative effects. Most of Lalique's works were mass produced, but he was also able to make individual pieces.