BK-1971-6
c. 1904 - c. 1906
Medium
gold (metal)
Dimensions
6.8; 2.2
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
height 2.2 cm x width 6.8 cm
Art Historical Context
René Lalique's *BK-1971-6*, crafted around 1904-1906, exemplifies the master's early 20th-century jewelry artistry. This delicate gold piece, measuring just 2.2 cm in height and 6.8 cm in width, likely served as a brooch or ornament, showcasing Lalique's innovative use of precious metal to create intricate, lightweight forms. Active during the height of the Art Nouveau movement, Lalique transformed jewelry from gem-centric displays into sculptural art inspired by nature's fluidity—think sinuous lines, floral motifs, and organic elegance. By 1904, he had gained fame at Paris exhibitions like the 1900 Exposition Universelle, where his works blended fine craftsmanship with modernist sensibilities, prioritizing design over ostentation. This small-scale treasure highlights Lalique's technical prowess in goldwork, possibly featuring filigree or textured surfaces that catch the light. As a bridge between Victorian excess and emerging modernism, it reflects the era's cultural shift toward wearable poetry, making luxury accessible yet profoundly artistic. A gem from his pre-glassmaking phase, it invites visitors to appreciate the intimacy of Art Nouveau finery.
About the Artist
René Lalique · 1860–1945
French glassmaker.