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Émile Gallé Sculptures

French, 1846-1904

“Art for art’s sake” was a belief strongly espoused by the celebrated French designer and glassworker Émile Gallé. Through his ethereal glass vases, other vessels and lamps, which he adorned with botanical and religious motifs, Gallé advanced the Art Nouveau ideology and led the modern renaissance of French glass.

Gallé was the son of successful faience and furniture maker Charles Gallé but studied philosophy and botany before coming to glassmaking later in life. The young Gallé’s expertise in botany, however, would inform his design style and become his signature for generations to come.

After learning the art of glassmaking, Gallé went to work at his father’s factory in Nancy. He initially created clear glass objects but later began to experiment with layering deeply colored glass.

While glassmakers on Murano had applied layers of glass and color on decorative objects before Gallé had, he was ever-venturesome in his northeastern France, taking advantage of defects that materialized during his processes and etching in natural forms like insects such as dragonflies, marine life, the sun, vines, fruits and flowers modeled from local specimens.

Gallé is also credited with reviving cameo glass, a glassware style that originated in Rome. He used cabochons, which were applied raised-glass decorations colored with metallic oxides and made to resemble rich jeweling. Gallé's cameo glass vases and vessels were widely popular at the Paris Exhibition of 1878, cementing his position as a talented designer and pioneer.

During the late 19th century, Gallé led breakthroughs in mass production and employed hundreds of artisans in his workshop.

Botany and nature remained great sources of inspiration for the artist's glassmaking — just as they had for other Art Nouveau designers. From approximately 1890 to 1910, the movement’s talented designers produced furniture, glass and architecture in the form of — or adorned with — gently intertwining trees, flowers and vines. But Gallé had many interests, such as Eastern art and ceramics. The Japanese collection he visited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (then the South Kensington Museum) during the 1870s had made an impression too.

Breaking free from the rigid Victorian traditions, Gallé infused new life and spirit into the art and design of his time through exquisitely crafted glass vessels and pioneering new glassworking techniques.

Find a collection of Émile Gallé vases and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Émile Gallé
Two Yellow Faience Ceramic Cats, Emile Gallé for Gallé Reinemer
Two Yellow Faience Ceramic Cats, Emile Gallé for Gallé Reinemer

Two Yellow Faience Ceramic Cats, Emile Gallé for Gallé Reinemer

By Émile Gallé

Located in Paris, FR

Emile Gallé (1846-1904) was one of the greatest French glassmakers and ceramists of the 20th century. The son of a master glassmaker, he came into contact with the art world at an ea...

Category

1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Émile Gallé Sculptures

Materials

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Midcentury Geometric Abstract Wall Sculpture in Gilt Bronze signed Emile Gilioli
Midcentury Geometric Abstract Wall Sculpture in Gilt Bronze signed Emile Gilioli

Midcentury Geometric Abstract Wall Sculpture in Gilt Bronze signed Emile Gilioli

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This Mid-Century Modernist geometric abstract wall sculpture by Emile Gilioli is a rare and striking creation, crafted in gilt bronze and mounted on a sleek black acrylic base. Signe...

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1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Émile Gallé Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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Late 19th century Emile Galle ( France 1846 - 1904 ) Cat - Signed 'Nancy'. Circa 1880 - 1890.

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Emile Galle Art Nouveau Original Glazed And Enameled Ceramic Cat. Circa 1895. I have owed 3 of these in the last 40 yrs and this one is very special. ...

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1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Émile Gallé Sculptures

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Pair of Faience Pottery Cats, Emile Galle Provenance Lord Iveagh Guinness Family

Pair of Faience Pottery Cats, Emile Galle Provenance Lord Iveagh Guinness Family

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Stunning rare pair of Faience glazed pottery models of a black and a white green-eyed seated cats by Emile Galle. Last quarter of the 19th century. Both whimsical models seated on their haunches and looking quizzically at the viewer. Condition: Good condition overall, tiny loss to glazing at one cats' ear. Firmly attributed to French Glass and furniture Designer Emile Galle, these pieces are unmarked as most of the earlier models were not. Measures: Height (taller black an impressive) 13.5" (34cm). Width (at base) 7.25" (18.5cm). Depth (at base) 5.75” (14.5cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Provenance: Christies Auctions on the Premises, lot No.2310. Sale title: Elveden Hall...

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A French faience dog sculpture by Art Nouveau artist Emile Galle (1846-1904). A whimsical ceramic figure of a seated pug or French bulldog, with gla...

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Ceramic Cat by Emile Galle
Ceramic Cat by Emile Galle

Ceramic Cat by Emile Galle

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H 14 in W 5 in D 7 in

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By Émile Gallé

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Ceramic cat in rare beige color by Emile Galle. Signed on bottom.

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Emile Galle Ceramic Cat
Emile Galle Ceramic Cat

Emile Galle Ceramic Cat

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H 13.5 in W 5 in D 7 in

Emile Galle Ceramic Cat

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Located in Stamford, CT

A yellow painted ceramic cat by Emile Galle. Signed on bottom.

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Pair of Large Antique Emile Galle Nancy French Faience or Majolica Mantel Lions
Pair of Large Antique Emile Galle Nancy French Faience or Majolica Mantel Lions

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Emile Galle Inlaid Marquetry Castle Tray, circa 1895
Emile Galle Inlaid Marquetry Castle Tray, circa 1895

Emile Galle Inlaid Marquetry Castle Tray, circa 1895

By Émile Gallé

Located in Dallas, TX

Important Emile Galle Marquetry tray. Signed Galle in marquetry bottom right. Glass will be included (Not shown in photos). Please view my other ...

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1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Émile Gallé Sculptures

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Wood

Emile Galle Yellow & Blue Reclining Cat
Emile Galle Yellow & Blue Reclining Cat

Emile Galle Yellow & Blue Reclining Cat

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Emile Galle Yellow & Blue Reclining Cat

By Émile Gallé

Located in Stamford, CT

A signed French yellow & blue reclining cat by Emile Galle. Signed 'G' for Galle & 'R' for his mother's maiden name, with Cross of Lorraine.

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Émile Gallé Sculptures

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Emile Gallé sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Emile Gallé sculptures are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of pottery and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Emile Gallé sculptures, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Emile Gallé sculptures can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $9,000 and can go as high as $9,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,000.