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Learn MoreGallé Cameo Elephant Vase
- This monumental Art Nouveau vase is one of the finest achievements of Émile Gallé’s firm
- The elephant design was created using the labor-intensive mold-blown technique
- This vase is much larger than most by the renowned firm, with only a few ever produced
- Crafted for the 1925 Paris Universal Exhibition, the Elephant vase is among the rarest designs from the exceptional firm
- Get complete item description here
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Émile Gallé
Circa 1925
This monumental Art Nouveau vase is one of the finest achievements of Émile Gallé’s iconic glassmaking firm. Showcasing Gallé’s mastery of the labor-intensive mold-blown technique, the vase’s impressive scale and intricate decoration required extraordinary precision. Few examples of this breathtaking elephant design were ever produced, making it one of the rarest and most prized of Gallé's output. In fact, this vase was chosen as the cover. . .
Émile Gallé
Circa 1925
This monumental Art Nouveau vase is one of the finest achievements of Émile Gallé’s iconic glassmaking firm. Showcasing Gallé’s mastery of the labor-intensive mold-blown technique, the vase’s impressive scale and intricate decoration required extraordinary precision. Few examples of this breathtaking elephant design were ever produced, making it one of the rarest and most prized of Gallé's output. In fact, this vase was chosen as the cover for Tim Newark's important book, The Art of Emile Gallé, published in 1989.
Crafted for the 1925 Paris Universal Exhibition, the Elephant vase is believed to celebrate the Croisière Noire, a French expedition across Africa. Its design features amber elephants marching beneath vibrant green palm trees and swirling clouds on a sunny yellow backdrop, brought to life through expertly cut layers of cameo glass. These dynamic, naturalistic motifs embody the Art Nouveau movement’s fascination with the beauty and mystique of the natural world. The impressive size is significant, as it required substantially more glass to create such a tall and wide design. This challenge was amplified by the mold-blown technique, which is particularly prone to breakage during production. The vase’s wrap-around composition and masterful craftsmanship elevate it to an exceptional work of art, recognized as one of Gallé’s most iconic creations.
The Gallé firm's innovative techniques and nature-inspired designs revolutionized glassmaking in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Elephant vase stands as a testament to this extraordinary vision and technical ingenuity, embodying the pinnacle of artistic achievements in glass. This masterpiece is a rare and significant example of Gallé’s contribution to decorative arts, securing its place among the most important glassworks of the early 20th century.
Signed “Gallé”
15 1/4” high x 10 1/2” diameter
Literature:
Tim Newark, The Art of Emile Gallé, 1989, cover, p. 121 (illustrated)
Maker: | Emile Gallé |
Period: | 20th Century |
Origin: | France |
Type: | Vases/Rose Bowls |
Style: | Cameo |
Depth: | 10.5 in. (26.67 cm) |
Width: | 10.5 in. (26.67 cm) |
Height: | 15.25 in. (38.74 cm) |
Gallé, Emile
Emile Gallé is widely considered the leading artistic innovator of the Art Nouveau movement, creating works of glass and furniture that are breathtakingly beautiful and awe-inspiring in their complexity and variety. Born in...
Read MoreHistory and Techniques of Cameo Glass
Glass is among the oldest media artists have utilized for creative expression. It has been known to humanity for centuries, and most scholars agree that the first glass objects date back to around...
Read MoreAt M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More