My Wish List: Collecting and Loving LaLique

I have been told by friends and associates that I have a lot of collections. They are correct, but many have just ‘happened’ over the years. For example, mother-in-law gives me a Roseville vase and we begin to add to the grouping. Or my daughter brings me a teapot from a trip to France and I start up another collection. A farm auction that features lots of primitives offers up a box of glass paperweights, for ‘cheap’, and I raise the paddle. Voila! A new collection is started.

But if I had my ‘druthers’, I’d love to collect high-end jewelry.. And I have no doubt who the pieces would be from – the incredibly talented Rene’ Lalique. Lalique lived from 1860 to 1945 and his works were in two very distinctive styles: Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Two of my all-time favorites! He was well-respected as a jewelry designer and maker but also renowned for his goldsmithing and glass making. He started using glass in his jewelry as early as 1890. In 1908 he was commissioned by Coty to design a range of scent bottles, and from then on he concentrated exclusively in glass.

As long as this is a dream sequence, I think I’ll select several treasures to start my collection. Lalique’s jewelry is very dramatic, works of art really. His pieces were comprised of a wide variety of materials. One of my favorites would have to be this this fantastic Grasshopper necklace, made of horn and pearls, circa 1902.

Another favorite is this romantic “Kiss” pendant, from 1904, made of gold, enamel and rock crystal. I can almost picture this on a gold chain, entering a room, all heads turning.

And who could resist this Water Lilies pendant made of gold, glass and opals. It’s breath-taking and would dazzle my friends and family. Of course, it would make the codicil to the will a lot more difficult. Both of my daughters and all three granddaughters would be drooling over this one!

But the best of all would be this incredible Dragonfly corsage ornament (circa 1897.) Made of gold, enamel, chrysoprase, moonstones and diamonds, it is a show-stopper. Of course, we are talking a ‘price is no object’ scenario.

Maybe if I reminded hubby that my birthday is only 8 months away, he’d break down. (But, it would probably be another type of break down.) Or I could say that if he bought me one of these I would NEVER ASK FOR ANOTHER GIFT, EVER. But he’d know better.

Well, time to wake up and go back to the real world. While I do hunt in antique stores, at auctions, and estate sales regularly, not one of these masterpieces has surfaced. Wish me luck in my continuing search!