René Jules Lalique (French pronunciation: [ʁəne ʒyl lalik]; 6 April 1860 – 1 May 1945)[1][2] was a French jeweller, medallist,[3][4] and glass designer known for his creations of glass art, perfume bottles, vases, jewellery, chandeliers, clocks, and automobile hood ornaments.
[8] Aucoc was among the leading jewelers working in Paris at the time, and this provided the young René Lalique with an excellent opportunity to learn jewelry production and design.
By 1881, Lalique worked as a freelance designer for several French jewelry firms, including Cartier and Boucheron.
While working in this new shop, some of René Lalique's most famous jewelry designs were created, as well as his experimentation and use of glass.
His designs often featured motifs such as dragonflies, orchids, and peacocks, crafted using a combination of enamel, gemstones, and semi-precious materials.
Therefore, his Lalique jewelry creations were not just holders of precious stones, they were works of art in their own right, creating worldwide interest and great demand.
[11] When he returned from England, he worked as a freelance artist, designing pieces of jewellery for French jewelers Cartier, Boucheron, and others.
[13] As part of the Art Nouveau style, many of his jewellery pieces and vases showcase plants, flowers and flowing lines.
[16] Lalique was also a pioneer in the use of 'pâte-de-verre,' an ancient glassworking technique, which he used to mold ground glass into intricate, lifelike forms in both jewelry and decorative objects.