LONDON.- Christie’s London announced the single owner collection Lalique: An Important Private Collection, which will take place at Christie’s King Street on 30 April. The calibre of this private collection bears testimony to the discerning eye of the collector, and is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary vision and creativity of the master glass-maker René Lalique, who continues to enthrall an international audience nearly seven decades after his death. Distinguished from previous collections which have appeared on the market in the last decades, this collection primarily focuses on large-scale vases in rare designs and a wide spectrum of colours. In addition to the jewel-like coloured works, there are a number of exquisite hand-crafted cire perdue vases and a selection of significant display items, such as Oiseau De Feu, which features a mythical firebird and is illuminated from below (estimate: £25,000-35,000). With estimates ranging from £2,500 to £150,000, the 84 lots are expected to realise in the region of £2 million.

Christie’s has been selling Lalique since 1971 and has offered more Lalique at auction than any other auction house internationally. In 2013, Christie’s Lalique sale in London realised over £1.3 million, the highest total ever achieved.

MASTER OF ART DECO GLASS
Having explored and utilised the technical and artistic potential of glass as a medium, René Lalique’s legacy is a luxury brand that is synonymous with both quality and artistry. In addition to the jewel-like vases, including those illustrated above, the sale includes three incredibly rare cire perdue vases exemplified by the lot Frise branches d'épines cire perdue vase and cover, no. CP 201 (estimate: £80,000-120,000). The cire perdue or lost wax technique, more typically employed in the production of bronzes, is an ancient form for casting a unique piece, in which a wax model is covered in plaster. It is then heated and the liquid wax removed and replaced with molten glass. Once cooled, the plaster mould is destroyed, making each piece a unique expression of the master glassmaker’s craft.

BRONZE AND GLASS
René Lalique designed only two rare vases with bronze handles, both of which feature in the sale. In the Cluny vase the bronze handles frame and support Medusa masks, before rising as serpents which bite the top rim (estimate: £100,000-150,000). By contrast, the Senlis vase, named after the medieval town in northern France, has elegant handles modelled as branches of fruiting foliage (estimate: £60,000 – 80,000). Both examples are exceptionally sought-after by private collectors given their high impact and exquisite summation of Art Deco style and flair.

FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Further highlights of the auction include the delicate Enfant Statuette, (estimate: £20,000-30,000). Formerly from the collection of Michel Lang, Chef de l'Atelier De Taille, Lalique Combs-la-Ville, the work was passed through the family by descent until it was purchased by the vendor.

Michel Lang was Chef de l'Atelier de Taille at Lalique's Combs-la-Ville glassworks until 1933 and he kept this piece on his desk. His son Michel Lang Jr also worked at Lalique from 1908 until 1974.