Emile Gallé, Nancy, 'Orchis Bouc' vase

Emile Gallé, Nancy, 'Orchis Bouc' vase, 1898-1900, Six-sided baluster shape. H. 30 cm. Cased glass, pink, milky opalescent and clear. Gold foils, green and dark grey powder inclusions, etched and polychrome enamel painting in relief with orchids (himantoglossum hircinum), four-leafed berry and columbine with gold. The surface martelé cut in several areas. Large ornamental signature E Gallé fecit on the bottom, surrounding a flower in the ground, partially martelé cut., Cat. Nancy 1900, Munich Municipal Museum, Mainz 1980, p. 60 (shape); cf. Cappa, L'Europe de l'Art verrier, Liège 1991, p. 190, No. 332 (Decor).
Condition Report: This extremely rare vase by Emile Gallé, which was created at the height of his artistic work, combines almost all the glass and decor techniques for which the artist became famous: the multiple glass overlay with powder inclusions and gold foil, etched and cut decors, elaborate, relief enamel paintings and gilding. The vase is also representative of Emile Gallé's aesthetics in terms of form - its most beautiful vessels are always influenced by the simple Asian design.