Lalique Nogent

Lalique is a beacon of French opulence in glassmaking and decorative arts, an enduring brand with a history spanning over 130 years and at least three movements in art and design: Art Nouveau, Art Deco and modernism. The firm’s founder, René Lalique, is a celebrated figure in Art Nouveau jewelry, which drew on feminine forms and natural-world themes. Under his masterful leadership, Lalique came to be known for its gorgeous vases, sculptures and glass and crystal serveware.

Rene Laliqué was born in 1860 in Aÿ-en-Champagne, France. As a young man, he apprenticed under Parisian Art Nouveau jeweler Louis Aucoc and studied at L'École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. Lalique's skill and esteem broadened, and he created jewelry for renowned houses like Cartier and Boucheron. He took over a workshop in Paris in 1885 and opened his own business soon afterward. Not one to follow trends, Lalique gained popularity for his innovative accessories, which merged glass, enamel and ivory — materials that were uncommon in jewelry-making — with semi-precious stones and metals. Lalique’s work gained greater prominence at the 1900 Paris Exhibition, which served as a showcase for his extraordinary designs.

In 1907, Lalique began a revolutionary partnership with French perfumer François Coty. He designed a line of molded glass perfume bottles with frosted surfaces and patterned reliefs. Lalique opened his eponymous glassworks in Combs-La-Ville, Paris, in 1909. His attractive bottles and other pieces were shown at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925 — the event that brought Art Deco to worldwide attention — catapulting Lalique to new levels of fame. Shortly afterward, in 1927, he created one of his most iconic pieces: the Bacchantes vase. A marvel of glassmaking that convincingly depicted movement, the vase displays his technical skills and artistry.

Lalique began receiving high-profile commissions — in 1929, he decorated the luxurious Côte d’Azur Pullman Express carriages, and in 1935, he designed lighting for the Grand Salon and dining room on the ocean liner SS Normandie.

Lalique died in 1945, and the reins at the company were passed to his son, Marc Lalique. The firm continued to produce its signature glass pieces as well as crystal vases, decor and serveware. Marc's daughter, Marie-Claude Lalique, became CEO in 1977. She renewed the traditional jewelry and fragrance side of the business. In 2008, Lalique was acquired by Art & Fragrance, now known as Lalique Group. It remains a well-regarded lifestyle brand underpinned by a rich history in glassmaking.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Lalique decorative objects, lighting, tables and more.

As decorative objects in your space, antique, new and vintage bowls and baskets make for a versatile addition to any corner of your living room, dining room or the console table in your foyer or entryway. Whether they’re positioned as a focal point for the family dining table or an accent on the shelving in your home office, or perhaps you’re just endeavoring to add minimalist ceramics throughout your home, an alluring art-glass centerpiece bowl or antique rustic fisherman’s basket is an easy way to elevate high-trafficked areas of your apartment or house.

Aside from the obvious functionality that a decorative bowl or basket brings to your kitchen, displaying such items behind the glass doors of a vintage storage cabinet or on your open kitchen shelving allows you to add a touch of personality and flair to the space, particularly if you’re accustomed to serving cocktails while you cook or if the kitchen is a common area for gathering and unpacking the events of the day.

As your bookcase is so much more than a place to, well, store books, adding a decorative bowl or basket — a mid-century modern work or an Art Nouveau–-era piece designed by French art-glass makers Daum — to the space where you keep your art monographs and coveted first editions can draw attention to your treasured library.

For the tranquil California coastal-style interiors you’ve worked so hard to create, fill a hand-carved wooden bowl on your console table with glass fishing floats or seashells, while a tall woven vessel by your front door can be populated with leafy green plants.

For anywhere and everywhere in your home, find a wide variety of antique or modern decorative baskets and bowls on 1stDibs today.