DAUM FRÈRES, NANCY (EST. 1878) 'LIBELLULE' VASE, CIRCA

DAUM FRÈRES, NANCY (EST. 1878) 'LIBELLULE' VASE, CIRCA 1900 clear, frosted and peach glass, acid-etched and enamelled with gilt highlights, signed in gilt DAUM/ NANCY and with Cross of Lorraine (7.5cm (3in) high) Footnote: Note: Jean Daum bought a failing glass factory in Nancy in France and in 1887 his son Auguste took over running it. He was joined two years later by his brother Antonin. The Daum brothers were near neighbours of Emile Gallé and shared many of his priorities for reinvigorating the nation through the arts, as well as for studying nature and experimenting with techniques. They employed leading designers who each contributed a different dimension to the creative development of Daum glass. Jacques Gruber favoured oriental forms, Henri Bergé brought his deep love of nature and skill in both botanical and landscape drawing, while Almeric Walter introduced new techniques including adding inclusions to the glass and surface finishes. The Daums business was entrepreneurial and experimental, and always focussed on producing high quality glass. Decoration was not just applied to the surface of the glass but was also in the glass itself.