The Natural World of Émile Gallé

Born 1846 in Nancy, a hive of activity for French art, Émile Gallé became one of the most renowned figures allied with this area. Raised into the beginnings of a glass business started by father Charles Gallé, the material was never a mystery to him.

Lot 15, An Émile Gallé cameo glass lamp, c.1900

During his early life, he had a wide education allowed by his entrepreneurial parents, studying a multitude of subjects. Undeniably, Natural Science had the greatest significance under the tuition of the respected Professor GA Godron, giving Gallé his first in-depth experience with botany and the natural world. Later, this style becoming a brand-like status of his work. Travels led Gallé to Germany completing the technical understating of glass production with time spent at the Saar glassworks.

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 led Gallé and his father to London, during his time he experienced what was to become the Victoria & Albert Museum and Kew Gardens. It was on his return, after further years of travel, that Émile Gallé took over the family business in 1874. First instructing all workshops to be brought back to Nancy within close proximity of their family home. And thus starting a 30-year career leaving an impact on the art world internationally and becoming synonymous with the École de Nancy.

Detail: Lot 15, An Émile Gallé cameo glass lamp, c.1900

Offered Sworders' auction of Design on July 13-14 are exceptional pieces of Gallé’s later work in floral cameo. A glass lamp, c.1900, with blue acid-etched decoration in the form of clematis and signed 'Gallé' in cameo is estimated for sale at £12,000-15,000, whilst a lamp with a dome-shaped shade, with purple acid-etched decoration in the form of daisies, is expected to fetch between £15,000-18,000.

View all works by Émile Gallé coming up in Sworders' upcoming Design auctions. Available online via Bidsquare.