Bonhams has announced that its April 17 auction in London will showcase a collection of over 120 pre-WWII glass works by Rene Lalique (1860-1945).
 Until Lalique arrived on the scene, perfume bottles were more functional than beautiful |
Entitled Les Objets Precieux de Lalique, the sale is mostly comprised of works consigned by a single Lalique enthusiast, who has been collecting the precious objects over a 30 year period.
The auction's focus will be on the smallest and most delicate items produced by the designer. A fantastic selection of perfume bottles and powder bottles will star, joined by necklaces and pendants as well as numerous dressing table pieces, bowls, plates and drinking glasses.
Bonhams states that, as usual, many of the pieces reflect Lalique's appreciation of the female form and are "beautifully executed in both the art nouveau and art deco styles".
Bonhams' head of decorative arts, Mark Oliver, commented: "These precious objects in glass exude a mesmerising charm.
"They illustrate perfectly why pieces by Rene Lalique are as popular as ever with collectors all over the globe, and I anticipate a great demand for the objects as well as the illustrated catalogue we are producing."
In September 2012, a Rene Lalique vase set the auction record for glass by the renowned artist at £280,000 ($451,248), with an unsuspecting provincial UK auction house. The 1922 piece was originally valued at £30,000.
2013 has also seen a record for Lalique, as Sotheby's sold a Papillons et Chauve-Souris pocket watch for $263,800 in February, making it the most valuable item of Lalique jewellery ever sold at auction.
