How to identify Gallé glass
Emile Gallé (1846-1904) is a prominent 19th-century French glass designer. He is considered to be one of those who have widely influenced the French ‘Art Nouveau’ movement, being a highly innovative glass artist and a true pioneer in his field as well as the direction of the entire European art movement. Gallé was certainly quite unique and one of a kind; the tremendously talented and educated man was at once a botanist, an exceptional chemist, a writer, an artist, as well as a philosopher.
The Beginning of Gallé Glass
In the mid 1870s, Emile Gallé was working in the Halle-Reinemer trading house (which is his parents’ family business that produced mirrors, glassware, and ceramics). The artist conducted a series of experiments with enamel paint technology; he started by making lightly tinted glass that is clear, decorating it with enamel as well as engravings. He then began to craft glass that was opaque and intensely colored, often carved into plant motifs, resulting in a more naturalistic and symbolistic style of art piece. Gallé’s work made quite the impression internationally, contributing to his work being widely imitated.
Innovation
Emil Halle was the first to start mixing metal oxides in the glass mass, placing a metal foil between the layers and adding the marquetry technique to the complex multilayer etching technique. With the help of this etching, the artists created elegant lace from black and white stained glass and today the technique of marquetry is called fusing. The scheme is quite simple: a picture is assembled from multi-colored pieces of glass and after exposure to high temperatures, these pieces are sintered, creating a whole.
The Beauty of Nature Presented in Glass
All these technological methods allowed harmony of form and content. The main motif of Gallé's work is his favorite orchid. Exquisite vases and lamps, from the smallest to the largest, decorated with images of flowers, dragonflies, and butterflies, evoking a romantic mood. When the light touches the glass, it creates a unique play of light and shadow, enlivening the image. The colors are of amazing depth and softness, unobtrusive, smoothly passing from one to the other while mesmerizing the eye. That is why it is no coincidence that Gallé glass is extremely popular not only among connoisseurs of art but also among connoisseurs of refined interior and home comfort for a century and a half and is an indicator of respect and aristocracy.
Original or Fake Gallé Glass?
Collectors and professionals in the antique market know that the Gallé brand is a guarantee of beauty, uniqueness, utmost quality, and of great artistic as well as historical value. The price depends on the originality of the item, the time of its production, and the complexity of the techniques used. The forgeries and reproductions now surpass the rest of Gallé's authentic works. Knowing the design, colors, and shapes used by Gallé can help you remove many counterfeits. A sure sign that the glass is not Gallé is the presence of cartoonish figures, streaks, a smooth, polished base, and the inscription TIP next to Gallé’s mark. If you suspect a reproduction, look for the signature "Gallé" prominent and very large. In the original, the Gallé glass looks colored, not covered with color. Modern interpretations of Gallé glass are very good and difficult to distinguish from the originals. Therefore, if you want to complement your home with these beautiful works of art, trust reputable antique shops.
Source: https://bellamysworld.com/