Details

**AN ART NOUVEAU IVORY, GOLD AND ENAMEL CHALICE, BY RENE LALIQUE
The white, brown and beige enamel and gold base, depicting scrolling vines and leaves, extending an ivory stem, the base set with nine seated sculpted ivory worshipers in painted black robes, to the gold cup decorated with a series of eight white enamel Apostles, with white enamel ferns and scrolling vine detail, circa 1903-1905, 12½ x 8¼ ins., in a Lalique black leather fitted case
Signed Lalique for René Lalique

Literature

Sigrid Barten, René Lalique, Schmuck und Objects D'Art, 1890-1910, Munich, 1977, figure 1715/1, page 549

Exhibited

The Jewels of Lalique, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, New York, 3 February - 12 April 1998; International Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 15 May - 16 August 1998; and Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, 13 September 1998 - 10 January 1999, catalogue page 111, no. 183

René Lalique, Musée des Art Décoratifs, Paris, 22 October 1991 - 8 March 1992, catalogue no. 239

Special Notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Further Details

While René Lalique's designs are generally associated with exotic and adventurous motifs, he also created several pieces with religious themes. This chalice is a stunning example of that type of work and was specially designed to be used in a chapel for communion.