Bacchantes Vase (1927) by RENE LALIQUE (1860-1945)

Bacchantes Vase (1927) in opalescent molded pressed blown white glass by René Lalique (1860-1945):

- THE ARTWORK:

In 1927, René Lalique created the famous Bacchantes vase, a conical piece adorned with mythological figures in high relief, depicting rituals dedicated to Bacchus. Nude maenads emerge from an irregular base, their graceful and varied poses punctuating the composition in a captivating and sensual manner. Lalique favored opalescent surfaces to play with transparency and light, harmonizing with the sculptural relief.

The Bacchantes vase, recognizable by its conical shape and flat base, features a frieze of dancing and lascivious maenads, offering an artistic expression of nature. This iconic Lalique creation, in existence since 1927, was initially produced in glass and later in crystal starting from 1947. In 2010, for René Lalique's 150th anniversary, the vase was reimagined as the Révélation Bacchantes, integrated into a crystal cube. Lalique's fascination with the female form is embodied in the Bacchantes, representing Bacchus' priestesses in a haunting bas-relief of sensuality, honoring the god of wine and vine through their enchanting dance.

Signed and engraved R. LALIQUE France at the base. Number 934 is also inscribed at the base of the artwork.

- References:

• Reims Museum;
• Petit Palais Museum in Paris;
• René Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder;
• Featured in CATALOGUE RAISONNE DE L'ŒUVRE DE VERRE - by R. LALIQUE, authored by FELIX MARCILHAC (2011, LES EDITIONS DE L'AMATEUR), number 997, page 438