GALLÉ, EMILE

Emile Gallé (French, 1846 ~ 1904)  born in Nancy, France, in 1846, Emile Gallé is considered one of the most outstanding glass artists of his time, he greatly contributed to the development of the art of glassmaking and to the Art Nouveau Style itself. It was at the Paris International Exhibition in 1889, he first presented his own new types of glass, including carved cameo and pate de verre work, new shapes of vases and extraordinary new colours. The event was a breakthrough for him and the Art Nouveau Style in general, with his pieces leading the way.

Throughout the 1890’s in his “”Cristallerie d’Emile Gallé””, he exhibited his works with great success, thus winning international awards, recognition through commissions and increased popular demand. After his death in 1904, his widow continued to run the glassworks until the outbreak of war in 1914, all the glass sold being marked with a star after his signature. The Gallé glassware continued to be made until 1935, when the firm closed down.