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Rene Lalique (1860 – 1945) was a renowned French designer, best known for his innovative glasswork and jewellery. Starting as a jewellery apprentice at the age of 16, he studied under the renowned Louis Aucoc. Aucoc was a leading Art Nouveau jeweller and goldsmith. As a freelance designer, Lalique worked with several high-profile names, such as Cartier and Boucheron.

In 1887, Lalique opened his first jewellery shop on Rue du Quatre-Septembre in Paris. His intricate, creative designs earned him a lasting reputation. He won countless competitions and gained commissions from high society and royal courts. This earned him the title ‘inventor of modern jewellery’ with his use of semi-precious stones, ivory, enamel, and glass.

Lalique also created pieces for Samuel Bing’s Maison de l'Art Nouveau, which helped define the Art Nouveau movement in jewellery design.

Lalique Coquillage perfume bottle

Art Nouveau Jewellery to Art Deco Glass

His first venture into glasswork design was in 1905, when he opened a new shop at Place Vendôme. Selling both jewellery and glass, he caught the eye of fellow businessman Francois Coty, whose primary focus was perfume production. Lalique designed elegant glass perfume bottles for Coty. This allowed buyers to enjoy beautiful packaging alongside their perfumes at an affordable price.

Following this, Rene opened his first glassworks in 1909 in Combs-La-Ville, adding to his repertoire of ventures. He also looking into viable industrial techniques for his glass production.

Devoting his time to glassmaking, he ventured to Alsace, where he founded the Verrerie d’Alsace Glassworks, creating Art Deco pieces, and is the only Lalique Factory in the World

Lalique’s glassmaking career reached new heights in 1925 at the International Exposition in Paris. His Art Deco style, characterized by the contrast of clear, iridescent and frosted glass, was solidified. His work continued to embody luxury and elegance until he died in 1945, when his son, Marc, took over the business.

1945 – Age of Crystal

When Marc took over the business, he originally started using ‘M. Lalique’ as a signature for his designs but later moved to ‘Cristal Lalique’. This was because Marc decided under his leadership to transition the company towards the production of lead glass – also known as crystal.

The company was eventually sold in 1994 and is now owned by Art & Fragrance, who rebranded themselves as the Lalique Group in 2016.

The House of Lalique

Lalique is now known to have five main categories: Jewellery, decor, interior design, perfumes, and artwork. The brand is particularly known for its glasswork, often featuring animal and floral motifs that symbolize the "flow of life." Rene Lalique was one of France’s most celebrated Art Nouveau and Art Deco designers, revolutionising jewellery and glasswork. Lalique’s creations are still highly sought after, and the house is renowned as the “haute couture” of crystal, embodying elegance and timeless luxury.