RLalique Antiques
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Rene Lalique Copies

R Lalique Copies: Of the thousands of different RLalique items produced during the lifetime of Rene Lalique, there are only a small number that have been copied so closely that they can fool even some R Lalique collectors. Most of what is labeled falsely as RLalique are items that are similar in style but not close copies, so for the collector, it is not a big problem. Here we identify the pieces that we have seen copies that are close enough to the real thing, that these copies create cause for concern even if you are familiar with the works of Rene Lalique. Again, just be cautious when acquiring these closely copied models to be sure you are getting a genuine Rene Lalique item and not a copy. Also, keep in mind that most of these copies were not intended at the time of manufacture to fool anyone. Someone just borrowed, bought, or appropriated what they thought was a good design. However in more modern times, with a little polishing, a little patina, and maybe a little signature addition or alteration, or even just an innocent assumption or innocent misrepresentation by the seller, these close copies can present a problem for the unsuspecting purchaser. Following are known items of concern. If you have questions about a particular piece or any specific concerns, check our R. Lalique Authentication Services for information on how we can help.

Perruches Vase - Consolidated Glass

The Consolidated Glass Company, operating a large glass manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania, made a line of glass items called Martele, which was introduced after the 1925 Paris Exhibition and was produced up until the 1960's. This line, as described by it's designers, and as obvious from appearances, was heavily influenced by the designs of Rene Lalique, including one work which is a direct copy. There are several vases in this line notably Bird of Paradise, which are nearly copies of Rene Lalique designs. The Bird of Paradise vase is a close (but distinguishable) copy of the RLalique Aras Vase. So for these several items, the differences can be spotted quite easily, without even a close inspection. However, there is one design that is basically identical to an RLalique design, the Consolidated Love Birds Vase. This vase is a near perfect copy of the RLalique Perruches Vase, and was made by Consolidated in a variety of colors and finishes. On appearance, this vase is good enough to fool many people, including novice collectors. However, the main visual difference is that the rim of the Consolidated vase is slightly everted at the top. But in the non-cased (double layer of glass) versions of the vase, it appears that this everted part of the rim can be polished away, leaving a visually amazingly good copy of the RLalique Perruches. Of course, Consolidated marketed these vases as their own, and had no intent to fool anyone. But with the passage of time, there have been Love Birds vases appearing on the market with spurious signatures, patinas and some polishing, that have been represented as RLalique. As we discussed in the Intro To Fakes and Frauds subsection, the best defense is to handle as much RLalique as you can. An experienced collector would know from the feel of the vase, from the weight and the finish, that the Consolidated Vase is not RLalique. Also note that some copies of the Perruches emanating from Czechoslovakia have also appeared in the past. The light purple vase shown above and to the left is a Consolidated Vase purchased on Ebay for $99 in like new condition, where it was properly identified. It is cased glass, and not a bad looker for the money. It's just not RLalique. Neither is the 2nd Consolidated example shown. This copy was later produced by the Phoenix Glass Company and after that by the Pilgrim Glass Company.

Archers Vase

In recent years, several Archers Vases have appeared from the same location, that have given cause for concern.

These are basically exact design copies, but low mold quality, low finish quality of the base area especially, and interesting signatures.

A black one is shown here to the left, along with the signature appearing on the underside of the vase.

These copies have also appeared in amber glass (also shown with signature on the right) and in clear and frosted glass.

No-neck Archers versions have also appeared in weird colors, perhaps these were made by someone as lamp bases.

Four different colors of these no necks are shown here to the left.

Thy are unsigned (or they will be signed with spurious signatures) and have a better base finish than the copies that have appeared out of South America. They also should be avoided.

Copies of the R. Lalique Archers Vase were apparently also made in Czechoslovakia. Shown here on the right is a cased yellow amber Archers Vase and a photo of the underside of that vase with the hole in it, the hole having been made when it was converted into a lamp. The "Made in Czechoslovakia" stamp is still visible to the left of the hole. Keep in mind this stamp is easily removed.

On the right is a modern blue copy with the signature on that copy shown below it. And a modern amber copy again showing the signature. As of this writing in May 2012, additional Archers Vase copies are coming into the market, possibly newly manufactured.

Espalion Vase

Two different colored Espalion Vases have come to light that are highly questionable. The dark almost neon green one shown here has appeared twice that we know of in the last 5 years. Both examples had the same color, the same poor finish to the base area, and the same signature.

Sauterelles (Grasshoppers) Vase

Without a doubt, this is the RLalique Vase that appears in suspect form more than any other vase. It has appeared in many unusual colors, as well as some of the standard RLalique varieties such as clear and frosted (with and without patina) and blue. These vases initially were characterized by a very high thick rim, but lately there have been examples that more closely match the real RLalique version at least in rim shape and height. The actual vase design is identical to the RLalique Sauterelles. There are enough of these copies floating around that for this vase, serious caution is required if you are considering an acquisition of a colored or clear and frosted Sauterelles, even for experienced collectors.

Gros Scarabees (Beetles) Vase

Suspect Gros Scarabees Vases have appeared several times in recent years, including at major auction houses. There appear to be at least two different sources of fakes, as the vases are not made from the same molds as each other. But half a dozen have surfaced in both clear and colored versions. Both of the pictured Gros Scarabees Vases are not the work of Rene Lalique. Here is a link to an R Lalique Blog Post we did in March 2009 discussing the Fake Rene Lalique Gros Scarabees Vases.

Acanthes Vase

Very low quality Acanthes Vases have appeared over time, as well as Acanthes Vases that are low quality and have straight rims that appear unfinished. It's almost as if these vases were made from an old mold, as they lack detail and in many cases, the rim lacks the finished shape. The straight rim versions are usually in clear or frosted glass, but there have been a couple of colored ones. Low quality suspicious Acanthes Vases with finished rims have appeared mainly in frosted and shades of blue, however there may be other colors.

Also, what appear to be modern copies have begun to appear. Shown is a blue vase that was put up for auction in the middle of 2011.

Note the rim and the detail of the design. Care should be exercised when acquiring either category of Acanthes Vase.

Malines Vase - Fenton Glass

There is one pretty close opalescent copy to the Malines Vase. It sometimes appears with a spurious signature or just advertised as RLalique even though it is not. We have never seen this close call in colored, clear, or frosted glass. This close call was manufactured by the Fenton Art Glass Company but was sold in bulk unsigned to at least two other glass companies for retail marketing. Those companies were DeVilbiss and Wrisley. The suspect Malines is pictured, including one with an original wooden stopper. It may have been retailed with more than one style stopper, and was also reported to have been made to accommodate an atomizer as well.

Persons Majestic Car Mascots - Longchamp - Tete D'Aigle - Victoire

Persons Majestic Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts sold three close copies of RLalique mascots in the 1930's. They are Victoire, Tete d' Aigle, and Longchamp. They are appropriately marked when in original condition; markings you can see in the photos, and are highly collectible on their own. However, in the past, before they increased in value, some of these were altered and represented as RLalique items. Pictured are all three Persons car mascots. Also in the 2nd and lighter photo of the Longchamp, what is likely another Persons Longchamp, just showing more of a yellow tinge either due to the photography or having been made that way. It also sports an R. Lalique signature.

Victoire Car Mascot - Spirit of the Wind Car Mascot

There is a Czech version of this mascot as well as a Persons Majestic Manufacturing Company version pictured above. Shown is the Czech version in frrosted glass that appears quite often, sometimes properly identified, sometimes improperly represented as RLalique. Notice the difference in how the hair comes off the neck for the Czech version when compared to the real Victoire, a deficiency not found on the Persons Victories. This particular one has a fake raised RLalique signature, which appears to be in the mold, but which is not molded and is not authentic. We also have shown an amethyst glass fake, origina unknown but likely Czech as well.

Tete D'epervier (Hawk's Head) Car Mascot

Copies of the Hawks Head mascot have appeared in a few different colors, including the pictured solid white opalescent, and clear. It has been reported that these copies were made under license from Rene Lalique in Argentina by the Rigolleau Glass Company, though we do not know if this is the only source. The colored example shown here with the high base bears the signature Rigolleau. You can envision with a reduced height base, a little polishing to remove the signature, and then a new signature and voila!

Vezelay Ashtray - Heisey Glass

The Vezelay Ashtray by RLalique was copied by the Heisey Glass Company of Newark Ohio. They made it sometime between 1927 and 1933 in the green color shown here which Heisey called Moongleam, and in a pink color they called Flamingo (who would have thought). It was reportedly made in a light purple color they called Hawthorne, and clear crystal as well. The pictured copy is unsigned and is quite good (as copies go), but not RLalique.

Cire Perdue Vase

The pictured vase appeared in 2009 with an R. Lalique signature. It's discussed in this Lalique Cire Perdue? News and Blog Article.

Coq Nain (Rooster) Car Mascot - Paperweight

The Coq Nain was sold by Rene Lalique as both a car mascot and a paperweight. There are 3 known original Coq Nain "colors". Rene Lalique made the Coq Nain in clear glass and in a gray/topaz color with a red center!

Note that some original clear Coq Nain car mascots have been seen with a bit of a light amethyst tint to them (not be to confused with ones that were radiated long after they were sold to change them from clear to purple in color).

See Radiated Lalique for more information!

So to summarize, known originals are clear, clear with slight amethyst tint, and the gray with red center.

Copies have appeared which are attributed to both Czech and South American sources. We do not know if they come from one or both places.

The copies are in funky colors including the several shown here. There may be other colors out there, and of course different cameras, screens, and lighting will show them all a bit differently The copies have appeared with no signature, with a scratched Lalique France signature, and with the full R. Lalique signature, including molded on the bottom, and molded on the side.

The Coq Nain was also reproduced in clear crystal by Cristal Lalique after the death of Rene Lalique and was still on their retail price list in the year 2004. These modern clear crystal reproductions have appeared with forged R. Lalique signatures which have run the gamut of all the ways to create a forged signature. For more information see Modern Lalique Crystal Reproductions of original Rene Lalique Glass designs. And also see Renaissance Antiques Dounial Lalique Coq Nain.

Modern opalescent examples with forged signatures have also appeared from time to time. We do not know the source of these opalescent examples.

One other note. The real Coq Nain is about 20 cm high, or around 8 inches. So are the copies we have been discussing up until now.

But small versions, mini copies of the larger copies, have also appeared. One of these small copies was measured at 9.5 cm, but we do not know if all of them are close to that height.

Deux Colombes Clock

The clock shown in the photos here is a very close copy of the R Lalique clock Deux Colombes. When compared to a real Rene Lalique clock, a quick check of the position of the tops of the birds heads or the amount of space at the bottom of the clock underneath the dial will reveal the close copy shown here. The close copy has the left bird head elevated, and more space below the dial.

The stands in the photos are superfluous, as the close call clock has appeared with and without the stand. The authentic Deux Colombes Clock is Catalogue Raisonne No. 727. We do not know the maker of the close copy.

3 Chardonneret Bird Paperweights: Timide - Hardi - Moqueur

A Czech glass company made close copies of the paperweight set of 3 Chardonnerets (Goldfinches) which are Rene Lalique 1931 model numbers 1209 (Chardonneret Timide), 1210 (Chardonneret Hardi), and 1211 (Chardonneret Moqueur) in the Catalogue Raisonne. You can see in the photo here all three birds in an old Czech retailer catalogue.

The blue bird pictured is the close copy of Chardonneret Hardi and is accompanied by a photo of the forged signature that was on the underside of the base of bird. If you carefully compare the design detail of the close call to the original Rene Lalique Model, especially on the front side of the bird, you will be able to pick out the differences.

The signature on the left appeared on the side of the base of another example that recently appeared at auction.

Close call Czech copies of these birds were made in different colors and are still available new today:

Muguet Perfume Bottle - Irice

Irice - A New York company formed during the roaring 20's, was (and may still be today) a contractor and importer of glass items. During their history they contracted out the manufacture of various items from different countries including in the United States, and they imported glass items from countries including Czechoslovakia, Germany, Taiwan and Japan. One of these imported items is a near exact copy of the R Lalique Perfume Bottle Muguet!

After World War II, the company began contracting out and importing from West Germany. It is there that we believe the close copies of the Muguet Perfume Bottle were made. Three colors of stoppers have appeared that we can attribute to Iris. One is described variously as pale green, neon green, jade or just green, and the other as pale amethyst or clear lavender. An unmakred blue stoppered version has also appeared which we believe is also an Irice bottle but we have not seen a blue one with a label or markings to confirm this.

The amethyst bottle shown here appeared with the mark Irice Made In Saxony! Most have long daubers that may be broken off or polished off.

Also note that we know of no evidence that the authentic Rene Lalique Muguet Perfume Bottle was made with a colored stopper. But in any event, Muguet Perfume Bottles with these two (likely all three) color stoppers were made by Irice. We have also included a photo of an Irice bottle that is a take-off of the Rene Lalique Perfume Bottle Deux Fleurs both to show another example of Irice bottles with designs similar to Rene Lalique's designs, and also to show the typical label for Irice. Note: See below for a closer copy of the Rene Lalique Deux Fluers Perfume Bottle.

Irice Muguet Bottles shown here have appeared in various books and catalogues as being authentic works of Rene Lalique. We believe that the primary reference source for this authenticity claim was misinformed and made an honest mistake based on the more limited information that was available at that time..

Cannelé Ceiling Cover for a Hanging Light Fixture

Lalique made the Cannele Ceiling Cover as a generic piece that could be bought separately from a hanging light fixture and could be used to hide the hole in the ceiling where the wires come out and where the fixture is hung from a suspension bracket of some kind. The Cannelé came in two sizes; the larger 16 centimeter size was Model No. 2800, and the smaller 10 centimeter size was Model No. 2801. Czech copies (shown in the photos) of the smaller one (and possibly the large one as well) have appeared and they have been offered for sale as authentic Rene Lalique "Cache-Bélieres" or roughly translated "suspension brace masks". Authentic Cannelés are hard to come by and care should be taken in purchasing this model to ensure you are not buying a Czech copy.

Chouette - Owl Paperweight

A low quality copy of the 1931 Rene Lalique Owl Paperweight - Chouette has appeared. We have seen several of these. The identifying factors are low mold quality and poor detail in the design, the entire outside is frosted (except the underside of the base), and there are very heavy mold lines. There may be no signature, or they may be marked with an S or SG. Of course there may also be a spurious later added R. Lalique mark of some kind.

Keep in mind that this model was reproduced by Cristal Lalique in crystal after the war, but these crystal reproductions are heavy, sharply molded, and are a combination of clear and frosted exterior finish. The Cristal Lalique model number was 11815, they used the same Chouette name, and it was still on the Cristal Lalique Price List in 1999.

We show here 4 photos of the close copy. We believe these were made by the L. E. Smith Glass Company in Pennsylvania.

Vase Deux Anemones Perfume Bottle

This perfume bottle, normally just referred to as Deux Anemones, has been the subject of modern close copying. The copies have a raised and flaring rim which distinguishes them from the original Rene Lalique version. Also, the shape and length of the stem of the stopper is different. Finally, the molding of the flower heads appears to be of lower quality. They are unsigned, or bear a spurious signature. This close copy has appeared with the label shown here, indicating it is made in Italy.

The Deux Anemones perfume bottle has also been reproduced in some volume by the modern Lalique company. But these modern crystal reproductions do not have the same rim or stem as the close call shown here, and they will be signed with typical modern Cristal Lalique signatures depending on year of manufacture.

On the left is a photo of the same close copy but with a cut glass looking exterior design on the bottom. The bottom of the "cut glass" version has the same shape and form as the plain bottom version including the neck and top rim shapes. They are basically identical except for the addition of the "cut glass" design. The stoppers of both close copy versions are identical.

Clairefontaine Perfume Bottle

The Clairefontaine perfume bottle, an original 1931 Rene Lalique design, has been the subject of modern close copying. The copies have a raised and flaring rim which distinguishes them from the original Rene Lalique version. Also, when compared to an original Rene Lalique Glass Clairefontaine, the neck of the stopper as it comes out of the bottle (the shape and length of the stem) is different.

The bottoms of these copies may be identical to the Vase Deux Anemones Perfume Bottle bottoms shown above, so there is a good chance these bottles are made by the same Italian company.

The Clairefontaine Flacon has been reproduced in crystal by the modern Lalique Company, for a long time. Modern crystal examples will bear the the typical modern crystal signature depending on the year of manufacture.

The copies however, are unsigned at the time of manufacture. So any signature appearing on one of these flared rim copies would be spurious.

Deux Fleurs Perfume Bottle

This perfume bottle has also been copied in the modern era, but with an easily distinguishable stopper that differs from the original both in the design and the length of the stem. These bottles appear unsigned, or with spurious signatures. The Deux Fleurs perfume bottle has also been reproduced by the modern Lalique company. The modern crystal reproductions do not have the same stopper design or stem as the close call shown here, and they will be signed with typical modern Cristal Lalique signatures depending on year of manufacture.

Misti Perfume Bottle For L.T. Piver

This butterfly design perfume bottle was introduced in 1923. But there is a later and similar version which is not R. Lalique. Shown on the left is the later version in frosted glass with patina. The butterflies on the bottle are different than the documented R. Lalique model. Note that an unsigned bottle may still be an R. Lalique original. Apparently as reported by the Utts a mold was used long enough in making original bottles, that wear to the mold caused the molded signature to not show on bottles made late in the run with that mold. This close call has also appeared with a hang tag for Bryenne, showing at about 5:00 on the clear and patinated perfume bottle below.

Lys Pendant

For at least the last 10 years, copies of the Lys Pendant have appeared from time to time in various places around the world. There are subtle yet noticeable differences in the design, some have colors that are not typical R. Lalique colors, and in any event, if there is a signature it will be spurious. Here are two photos under different lighting of the same pendant.

Charme Tray or Bowl - Charme Jardiniere

Shown is a milk glass tray attributed to Fenton Glass that is very close in shape, style and design to the Rene Lalique Charme Bowl and the three part Charme Jardiniere centerpiece. This tray is a different size than the authentic pieces, but the design leaves plenty of room for collectors to be fooled, both in the style of the piece, the same overhanging rim, and the molded rim decoration.

The tray shown is 13 inches long, by 9 and 1/2 inches wide, by 2 and 1/4 inches high. This is the only one we have ever seen, so we don't know if any colors or frosted/clear versions were made. The example shown has no signature or markings of any kind.

Figurine Se Balancant Pendant

Rene Lalique used the Figurine Se Balancant design in a cachet (seal), in an oval mirror backed pendant with a silvered metal frame, and in an oval clear and frosted pendant with a hole drilled in the center near the top for the string or necklace to go through. The authentic pendant is about 6 centimeters tall and has no frame. The modern close call pendant shown here is a lot more heavy handed in the molded detail; more coarse than the authentic ones. And it is a bit shorter, more like 4 centimeters to 4 and 1/2 centimeters tall. And of course, the original pendants have the hole in the middle of the top and no frame. The close call example that has appeared was unsigned.

Coqs Et Plumes Vase

The pictured vase is a close call to the Coqs Et Plumes Vase by Rene Lalique. The biggest obvious difference is the large undecorated area below the top rim. The original vase design has the feathers running up much closer to the top rim without the large plain area shown at the top of the close call. The example shown appeared unsigned and measured about 6 inches tall. This is roughly the same height as the original.

Deux Colombes Seal

Rene Lalique created and used the two birds design on several objects, including a seal (cachet) designed in 1931. There is modern close copy of the original that is shown here in two different examples. The differences between the copy and the original are easily seen in the sharpness of the design details on the original and the lower quality of the copy. It is especially evident in the molding of the side feathers and the chunkier shape of the birds' tails. Also the base of the copy is wider in relation to the size of the birds than it is on the original.

Pinson Ashtray

Rene Lalique created and used the single small bird motif on several items including the Pinson Ashtray and the Pinson Cachet (seal). The ashtray (cendrier) is the seal attached to a round dish. This close copy appeared with the same "Genuine Lead Cristal Over 24% Pbo Made in Italy" sticker that was also on the Vase Deux Anemones Perfume Bottle which is listed here and which shows a clear photo of that same label. This bird ashtray was described as being about 3 and 3/4 inches diameter.

Versailles Vase

In 1939 Rene Lalique created the glass Versailles vase. This model has also been reproduced extensively by the modern lalique company after the death of Rene Lalique in both clear and frosted crystal and in a rich blue crystal. But it appears on this page because there is also a close call of this vase made by the Godinger Company that can be bought new today. That close call is shown here. The easily distinguishing difference is that the original R. Lalique Versailles is listed in the catalogue as 35.5 centimeters or approximately 14 inches. The crystal reproduction Lalique Versailles is also 14 inches. The Godinger Athena Vase is only 12 inches tall. Note that the Godinger close call can be bought new for under $70 as of this writing.

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