cover image Lalique Glass

Lalique Glass

Nicholas M. Dawes. Crown Publishers, $35 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-517-55835-5

This inspired volume is a serious study of master artisan Rene Lalique, born in 1860. Dawes, an antiques dealer and appraiser, traces the evolution of Lalique glassmaking from Rene's career as a jeweler, when glass debuted in his outrageous creations, to the continuation of his meticulous tradition after his death in 1945 by his son Marc and granddaughter Marie-Claude. This thoroughly researched work will be valuable to art collectors; it contains advice on avoiding defective pieces and forgeries, as well as a bibliography of books, catalogues and articles in French and English. Readers will savor the more than 250 color and black-and-white photographs of exquisite objects: vases, statuary, tables, perfume bottles, decorative containers, jewelry, mirrors, ashtrays, desk accessories, clocks, lamps and fixtures, stemware, decanters, candlesticks, plates, bowls and panels. (May 30)