"Tourbillons" (Whirlwinds) Vase

René-Jules Lalique

1926 · Glass · Modern and Contemporary Art

Lalique began working with glass at the turn of the twentieth century; he incorporated small amounts into his jewelry and later created ornamental and utilitarian objects entirely out of the material. Although this vase was produced in quantity, the boldness of its concept and complexity of its finish suggest that it was made by hand. Lalique sold Tourbillons vases in many hues, but the most striking combination was clear, colorless glass highlighted in black enamel along the outer edges of the deep walls.

Artist

René-Jules Lalique

Date

1926

Medium

Glass

Department

Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit line

Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky Fund, 2004