Understanding the price differences of Gallé, Lalique and Daum Nancy vases depending on the period

INTRODUCTION

Vases by Gallé, Lalique, and Daum Nancy are iconic pieces of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. While these brands are all highly sought after, their market value varies greatly depending on the period of production, the maker, and the rarity of the piece. This article aims to shed light on the price differences between a vase by Émile Gallé and a product made after his death, or between a René Lalique vase and a creation by his current company.

1. Émile Gallé and the Gallé Company: A Crucial Distinction

Émile Gallé (1846-1904) was a French master glassmaker and cabinetmaker, a leading figure in the Art Nouveau movement. His creations are unique, marked by great technical innovation and a profound poetic sense. The distinction between pieces made during his lifetime and those produced after his death by the Gallé company is essential to understanding price variations.

Vases by Émile Gallé (before 1904): Works created during Gallé’s lifetime command the highest prices. They are characterized by intricate plant motifs, innovative glassmaking techniques such as multi-layered glass, and cameo engravings. A vase from this period can sell for between €5,000 and €50,000, depending on the rarity, size, and condition of the piece.

Vases by the Gallé Company (after 1904): After Gallé’s death, the company continued to produce vases based on his designs, but without the same level of artistic innovation. These pieces, while still of high quality, have more accessible prices, ranging from €1,000 to €10,000, depending on the complexity of the motif and the period of manufacture (the first years of production after Gallé’s death remain more sought-after).

Signatures and Periods: An expert or seasoned collector will also be able to identify the period of production from the signature. Pieces marked "Gallé" with a star, for example, indicate posthumous production between 1904 and 1936. These distinctions greatly influence estimates.

2. René Lalique, his daughter Suzanne and the Lalique company

René Lalique (1860-1945) was a master glassmaker and jeweler, famous for his glass and crystal creations associated with Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Lalique vases are highly sought after, but their value varies depending on the period and the artist behind the creation.

René Lalique vases (1900-1945): Pieces created by René Lalique himself, particularly those in molded and pressed glass, reach peaks. Vases from this period, often inspired by floral, animal or feminine motifs, are considered masterpieces of Art Deco. Prices range from €3,000 to €80,000, depending on the rarity and size of the item. Limited editions or pieces hand-signed by René Lalique are the most sought-after.

Suzanne Lalique Vases: After René’s death, his daughter Suzanne Lalique-Haviland also designed vases for the company. While her work is also of high quality, it is less highly valued on the market than her father’s. Vases designed by Suzanne typically sell for between €1,500 and €8,000, depending on their size and design.

The Lalique Company after 1945: The Lalique Company continued to produce crystal vases after World War II, but they were often less valuable than the period pieces created by René Lalique. These recent vases, while they can be aesthetically impressive, are sold at more accessible prices, between €500 and €5,000 for contemporary models.

3. Daum Nancy: The Golden Age and Modern Production

Daum Nancy is another great glass house, known for its innovations in glass paste and its links with Art Nouveau. Founded in Nancy in 1878, it marked its era with artistic creations that were then transformed over the decades.

Daum Art Nouveau Vases (1890-1914): Vases created during the Art Nouveau period are among the most sought-after by collectors. Using techniques such as cameo engraving and glass paste, these pieces fetch very high prices. A Daum vase from this period can be estimated between €5,000 and €100,000, depending on the rarity and design.

Daum Vases Art Deco Period (1920-1940): During the Art Deco period, Daum adopted more geometric shapes and more sober colors. Although these vases are also very popular, they are generally less expensive than those of the Art Nouveau period, with prices ranging from €3,000 to €30,000.

Contemporary Daum Production: Today, Daum continues to produce vases in pâte de verre, but these pieces, although still of excellent quality, have much more moderate values ​​on the auction market, between €1,000 and €8,000, depending on collaborations with contemporary artists.

4. Understanding the price differences according to the period

One of the most common mistakes made by uninformed buyers and sellers is to believe that all pieces signed Gallé, Lalique or Daum sell for equivalent prices. In reality, prices vary enormously depending on the period and the artist behind the creation.

Antique and authentic vases, created directly by Émile Gallé, René Lalique or Daum Nancy at their peak, reach high values. These pieces, made between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, are unique works of art, often impossible to reproduce today.

Posthumous or mass-produced pieces after the founders’ death, while retaining undeniable quality, often sell for lower prices. The craftsmanship remains, but the artistic aura associated with the artist himself fades over time.

Contemporary productions, while respecting the founders’ techniques, do not have the same appeal for collectors of historical art. Lalique vases mass-produced today, for example, do not compete with the original creations of René Lalique, and their prices reflect this distinction.

5. Current market trends

The market for Gallé, Lalique and Daum vases follows specific trends. While authentic period pieces remain in high demand, more recent production objects, particularly those mass-produced after the founders’ death, are less popular.

Gallé and Daum Art Nouveau Vases: Collectors are primarily looking for historical pieces, marking the transition to Art Nouveau. Gallé or Daum vases from this period, with their natural motifs and technical innovations, continue to be safe bets on the market.

René Lalique Vases: The original work of René Lalique is experiencing a real craze, especially for large pressed glass pieces with bold patterns. Collectors appreciate the link between the history of design and the avant-garde aesthetic of these works.

Contemporary Vases: The current productions of the houses of Lalique and Daum are still sought after, but more for their decorative value than for their rarity or historical character. They find their place in modern interiors, but at much more moderate prices.

6. Factors influencing price differences by region

Prices of Gallé, Lalique and Daum vases can be influenced by several regional factors:

Art history in the region: Countries with a strong tradition in Art Nouveau or Art Deco design, such as France, Germany and Italy, tend to place a higher value on original period pieces.

Purchasing power and taste for luxury: Regions such as the Middle East and Asia, where purchasing power is high and taste for luxury interior decoration is growing, are key markets for the contemporary productions of major glass houses such as Lalique and Daum.

Auctions: Major auction houses such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s, located in New York, London or Hong Kong, largely influence international trends in decorative art, often setting price benchmarks for period vases.

CONCLUSION

Gallé, Lalique and Daum Nancy vases are highly sought-after collectors’ items, but their value varies depending on the period of production, the artist behind the creation and the country where the objects are purchased. Understanding regional specificities and market trends can help collectors better understand the value of their vases and navigate this ever-changing sector.

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