Category
Perfume bottle
Creator: René Lalique
Model designed in 1912
Mould-blown glass with patina, pressed- glass stopper with patina
Lalique SA Collection
René Lalique has always been fascinated by and inspired by nature. This inspiration is evident in the ‘Fougères’ bottle he created in 1912. It was produced in three versions: one in clear glass, partially frosted; another in green glass, entirely dyed throughout; and the last in green glass, partially dyed throughout. An experimental electric blue bottle was also produced.
The model shown here is the clear glass version. More specifically, the body of the bottle, its stopper and the medallions are made from this partially frosted clear glass. The ferns and medallions, meanwhile, have a dark green patina.
On the medallions – one on each side of the bottle – a woman is depicted who appears to be standing at her bull’s-eye window, her home bathed in the shimmering glow of the medallion.
Unlike some of his other pieces, ‘Fougères’ is very similar to his initial sketch. In fact, only the stopper – which was too simple and smooth to blend in with the bottle – was reworked.
More about it: Experts do not all agree on the identity of the woman depicted in the medallions. Indeed, some believe her to be Alice Ledru, René Lalique’s wife. Others recognise Sarah Bernhardt, a great actress of her time, whom they identify in particular by a lotus flower the figure wears on her chest. Indeed, René Lalique had already created a large lotus-shaped brooch in 1893 for one of the actress’s stage costumes.
