The Timeline of Lalique Crystal Glass

August 27, 2023

Find our entire entire collection of crystal glass. Video Transcription: Hello this is Jennifer with City Farmhouse Antiques. I can't wait to share this beautiful piece with you. Those of you that know your crystal know that this is Lalique crystal. Lalique crystal is one of my favorites and the finest of the finest. This is a centerpiece bowl called Champs Elysees. This beautiful piece is made to replicate the Champs Elysees Avenue which is known as the "the most beautiful avenue in the world". You can see this piece is inspired by all the rows of trees and leaves of the avenue on this piece of crystal. It is about 18 inches wide and made to sit on a beautiful table as a centerpiece. You have to tell us where would you put this centerpiece bowl? It is extremely heavy. This Champs Elysees bowl isn't just any piece, however, this is a fairly common piece that retails for about $4500.00. I have sold a lot of these over the years, but this piece is very special because of the signature on the bottom. I have never had one like this before and that is what I wanted to share with you as well as a little bit about the timeline of Lalique glass which helps in dating your crystal Lalique pieces. In 1860 Renee Lalique, the founder of Lalique glass, was born. In 1922, the first Lalique glass furnace was fired up. The company started with only 50 workers which is incredible when you think about the fact that 100 years later this glass is so well known, collectible, and sought after. In 1935 Renee Lalique helped design the dining room of the luxury liner Normandie. The cast iron molds used to make these pieces were passed down over years. Renee Lalique passed in 1945 and his son Marc Lalique took over the business bringing the glass into the crystal era. This is when Lalique began making crystal. In 1977 Marc Lalique's daughter, Renee Lalique's granddaughter, Marie Claude Lalique, took over the business and became known as the "Queen of Crystal" bringing much enthusiasm to the business. She started where her grandfather had left off creating perfume bottles that looked like miniature sculptures as well as jewelry. She did many wonderful things to advance the company and it is her signature on the bottom of this piece that makes it so special. She passed away in 2003 in Florida and is no longer living, but her signature is on the bottom of this piece. This piece is so heavy I can't lift it with one hand, but there you can see the M and Lalique on the bottom. It looks to me like this piece is also numbered and then of course at the top you will see Lalique and Made in France. It was her father that designed the Champs Elysees Bowl in 1951. Like her father, many of the pieces Marie Lalique designed were stunning and inspired by nature such as trees, birds, and her travels to Africa. Marie Lalique didn't have any children to pass on the company so she sold the company in 1994 and passed away in 2003. This beautiful piece will be up on our website and again, is so special because it is signed by Renee Lalique's granddaughter. Message us in the chat box if you have any questions. If you see this video before I get it posted up on the website message me. First come, first serve, and I think this piece will go fairly quickly because of the signature. Again, very large piece at about 18 inches across and very, very, heavy. This piece has its own original box and packaging. Be sure and check out all our other YouTube videos and sign up for our newsletter. We will see you next time.