Corning Glass opens new Lalique Exhibition

In a long and prolific creative lifetime, French jeweler and glassmaker Rene Lalique designed decorative and useful items of glass using a master-craftsman’ catalog of techniques and refinements to make ordinary items opulent and luxury items distinctive. The Corning Museum of Glass just opened a comprehensive show of Lalique’ work, on display until Jan. 4, 2015, partly inspired by the 2012 gift of about 400 pieces from collectors Stanford and Elaine Steppa, which effectively tripled the museum’ Lalique holdings. Curated by Kelley Jo Elliott, the exhibit offers an opportunity to experience the development of an unusual talent through selections from Lalique’ immense body of work.                   

Born in 1860, Lalique spent a significant part of his childhood on his grandfather’ farm in Ay, in northeastern France, sketching the natural world around him. He began studying art when he was 12. His carefree youth ended abruptly with the death of his father when Rene was just 16. Apprenticed to a goldsmith, he eventually opened his own jewelry business, experimenting with Art Nouveau designs and by 1891 had learned glasswork in order to incorporate the color and versatility of glass in his jewelry in place of more expensive gemstones.

Popular from the 1880s until World War I, Art Nouveau was known for its flowing curves, inspiration taken from the nature, and the idea that the objects we surround ourselves with should be beautiful as well as useful. In the interwar period, Art Deco evolved, a more geometric, symmetrical style celebrating technological innovations. Lalique’ work draws on elements from both periods. When his genius for design drew the attention of his neighbor, Francois Coty, who asked Lalique to create labels for his perfumes, Lalique conditionally agreed-he wanted to design the glass perfume bottles as well. The elegant packaging spurred more sales-and more commercial commissions for Lalique, whose renown as a jewelry designer was overtaken by his growing renown as a designer of useful glass objects.

Lalique later said he was inspired by the modern woman as well as drawing his inspiration from nature. Flowers were a frequent motif-Lalique was said to always have a bouquet of flowers at his desk while he worked. Leaves, insects, frogs, snakes, jungle animals were also often seen in his work.

The new woman of the “roaring” 1920s drove automobiles, smoked and enjoyed alcohol alongside the men-and Lalique embraced her changing role with accessories for enjoying these pastimes in style with ashtrays, vases, goblets, automobile hood ornaments and”mascots,” items to be used on desk and dressing table, as well as dining table and sideboard.

Using the cire perdu (lost wax) technique for casting one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, Lalique made vases, though he also created molds for casting some of the wax figures that were uniquely arranged on each of these cire perdu                

The glass factory Lalique established in Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace, France, is still in business today, joined by a Lalique museum nearby. Some of the vintage designs on display at the Corning Museum are still in production-in fact, some are currently available at the museum gift shop as well.

The Corning Museum separately acquired some of Lalique’ drawings-separate display of these is on exhibit at the Rackow Library - and working molds, a selection of which is part of this exhibit. Elliott designed a “forest of vases” in cases at the center of the exhibit area, all astonishing examples of the diversity of Lalique’ designs. One was donated to the museum by Frederick Carder, its original purchaser.

Lalique had such a long and prolific creative life, spanning two centuries and several eras of style, choosing pieces and making sense of his work has to have been a daunting undertaking. Elliott added several videos and photographs wherever possible to offer context and explanation. For the viewer, it’s a totally delightful opportunity to visit another age and enjoy its styles.

The Corning Glass Museum is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended early evening hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is charged, discounted for area residents, seniors, students and military, as well as for those also visiting the nearby Rockwell Museum; children under 19 are free. For more information, call 800-732-6845 or 607-937-5371 or visit the website cmog.org.