Emile Gallé, (attr.) - Flask - Craquele

Height: 16.3 cm.
Weight: 314 grams
Condition: good antique condition overall. Some small technological defects. Wear to the gilding consistent with age. Minor surface wear and small areas of discoloration from age and use. Please refer to the photographs for a complete impression of the condition.

Émile Gallé (attributed) – Art Nouveau craquelé glass flask with butterfly and floral décor – France, circa 1890–1900

Elegant Art Nouveau glass flask attributed to Émile Gallé, one of the leading figures of the Nancy School and one of the most influential French glass artists of the late 19th century. Gallé became internationally renowned for his nature-inspired decorative glass and for pioneering innovative techniques such as enamelling, acid etching and layered glass decoration.

This finely shaped flask features a rounded body with pedestal foot, tall neck and applied handle, typical of late 19th-century Art Nouveau decorative glass. The surface shows a craquelé texture, creating a delicate ice-like pattern within the glass. The decoration is composed of gilded and enamelled motifs of flowers, leaves and butterflies, reflecting Gallé’s fascination with botanical and natural themes. Gallé was known to draw inspiration from botany and often incorporated plant and insect motifs in his works.

The combination of textured glass, gilded decoration and naturalistic motifs strongly reflects the aesthetic language of the École de Nancy and the broader Art Nouveau movement.