R Lalique Cire Perdue Wasp Vase by Rene Lalique

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Posts Tagged ‘R Lalique and Rene Lalique on Ebay’

Rene Lalique Victoire Hood Ornament: The Stolen (Borrowed?) Lalique Photo Auction? Lalique Buyers Beware!

January 7th, 2011

Rene Lalique Hood Ornament VictoireR. Lalique Spirit of the Wind Lalique Victoire Hood Ornament For Sale! Only minor damage AND “It has never been for sale before…” it’s Item No. 160528702044 which has since been removed by Ebay.

Update: After receiving complaints about the auction, the seller changed out the stolen photo to a photo of a different Victoire Hood Ornament and amended the description to list more damage. Here is a link to a cached version of the original listing with the stolen photo showing: Stolen Photo Original Listing****

Rene Lalique Hood Ornament Victoire Nose DamagedAnd here is a post complaint photo of a Victoire the seller then claimed he was actually selling in the now deleted listing, which is obviously not the one in the original photo and listing as shown in the cached version of the original ad. Needs a bit of nose job don’t you think? End of Update Section, but see Danger Sign #6 Below.

Danger signs:

1. The auction advertisement has one photo in it, a photo that you can find elsewhere on the web if you look around a bit. Seriously, do you need more warning signs than that? If you are even thinking of bidding knowing this, serious due diligence should be taken to confirm the seller is in possession of the pictured item.

2. The seller has 18 feedbacks over 6 months or so. The top three transactions are for $85, $30, and $20! Heck, there’s even one for $0.99 (that’s ninety nine cents).

3. $32 shipping charge would not even cover the insurance!

4. Sellers of expensive items with high starting prices usually have lots of photos, not just one.

And MOST importantly:

5. This listing sits atop the list of suspicious items on the R. Lalique Police Page!

Update:
6. The Seller showed a single photo in the original ad of a Victoire that clearly was not for sale and coincidentally was a lot nicer looking than the one in the replacement photo later shown in the now deleted ad. Inquiring minds might ask: Was this fool me twice? End of Update

Rene Lalique Mascotte VictoireIt’s always a good idea to ask an online seller for more photos, just to be sure they have the item. But getting more photos is still not a guarantee that the seller owns the item shown in the ad or the item shown in the additional photos (what, they’re not the same item?), but it’s a good starting point to screen out many possible problems. And an even better idea to talk to an independent Lalique Consultant to minimize the chance of a major mistake!

The two photos in this article were taken from two different places. One is from the auction ad, the other from the web. Now seriously, which of the two photos here is the one from the auction, and which is the one you can find on the web? Hmmmmmmm …..

So be careful out there. The best case here would appear to be that the seller just took a photo off the web being too lazy or unable to take his or her own photos of this apparently expensive item. And even this best case would usually be a big problem if the photo taken from the web is not a photo of the actual item for sale (a bit unlikely?). Care should be taken to sort it out before bidding.

And finally, there’s an extension of Ebay scams where there is a stolen or borrowed photo listing to be aware of if you do run into one. After the auction ends or Ebay cancels the listing, if you had written the seller during the auction to make an inquiry, then after the auction you might get something like this:

“Hi,

My Lalique “BACCHANTES” Vase is not on ebay anymore, but it’s still available for sale.

My usual schedule has been changed and I had to go to Spain to take care of some business and that’s why I closed my auction.

The final price for the vase is US $ 1,700.00 including all the shipping costs and insurance. The vase is in perfect condition with no chips, cracks or dings.

Also I want to let you know that you will have the opportunity to receive and inspect the vase before you actually pay for it. If you are interested and want to know more details regarding the purchase just contact me.
Thanks,
Leda

P.S: If you want to see more pictures with the vase give me your email address.”

If you bite, the follow-up to this email is that there is an escrow website you can wire your money to before you receive the item. But of course you can get your money back if there is any problem. Really?

**** About the Cached Auction Link: You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

R. Lalique Online: Ebay And The Eagles – Lalique And The Beetles

August 7th, 2010

EBay is a great marketplace for the works of Rene Lalique. Cool and rare objects appear out of the hinterlands and offer opportunities for collectors they would never have seen before. And just the sheer volume of daily trading of R. Lalique items creates liquidity in the market and contributes to the overall stability of the worldwide collecting field. It’s a great place to sell items with low transaction costs, and a great place to buy pieces as well.

But like all things, the story is usually not entirely one sided, and as regular visitors to RLalique.com are aware, many items are listed on Ebay under the R. Lalique banner, that are not always exactly what they seem.

Rene Lalique Beetle VaseThe RLalique Police Page always has a “good” selection of various problematic Ebay auctions listed for anyone that wants to take the time to investigate before bidding on something. And we can’t leave this topic without mentioning of course, that we also do offer affordable Lalique Consulting for any purchase, not just on Ebay but for any auction item (or an entire auction) or private sale worldwide.

One Ebay item in particular was brought to our attention by several alert readers in recent days and it has graced the top of the RLalique Police listings since it first appeared online. The auction was purportedly for the Rene Lalique Vase Gros Scarabees: The Lalique Beetle Vase! The auction ended today, and while we were looking at the Ebay Item Page in feigned disbelief, the refrain from the old Eagles standard kept running thru our minds:

There’s gonna be a heartache tonight,
A heartache tonight, I know.
There’s gonna be a heartache tonight, I know.
Lord, I know.

Rene Lalique Beetles VaseWhat makes this listing so “great”, is the sheer laziness of the Ebay seller combined with the obvious warning signs. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 190426530971 listing online***, the “Grosses Scarabees Vase”. You can’t make these names up, they just appear! How did this become the “Grosses”? Simple, the seller copied that information directly from a previous online auction listing along with the exact same three photos in that previous listing!

The original seller of this vase last year, an auction house that regularly sells R. Lalique, made a mistake in their heading when they brought the vase to auction in June of 2009 and called it the “Grosses Scarabees Vase”. The current Ebay lister just copied out the info, correct, mistaken, no matter. See the original listing for yourself here: Grosses Vase.

And the three photos? Well, they are actually just one photo that was then given different effects (lighter, darker, highlights) to make it appear to be three different photos.

Rago reports that with buyers premium the vase sold last year for $8400. Then it appears on Ebay a year later, with an $800 starting price and no reserve! And the lucky winner gets it for only $2000! Oh, and FREE shipping too! That’s a really big expense for the seller that he’s throwing in :). How great is this?

Well, we already know how this story is going to end:

There’s gonna be a heartache tonight,
A heartache tonight, I know.
There’s gonna be a heartache tonight, I know.
Lord, I know.

***You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

Rene Lalique Paperweight: The Rare Lalique Lobster: Presse-Papiers Langoustine Appears in Germany

July 14th, 2010

Rene Lalique Paperweight Lobster - Crayfish

Rene Lalique created a “traumhafter hummer”, which in German means “fantastic lobster”, and rarely do these hummers come up for sale. Not quite as big as the traumhafter Hummers that wheel thru the streets around World Headquarters, and surely not as noisy, this particular lobster had some minor damages but was basically intact. Considering the rarity, the chipping would have likely not been any impediment to a dozen different collectors putting in a bid if they had the chance.

But it was not to be as on July 1st, two nice paperweights appeared on Ebay from the same German seller, both with Buy-It-Now prices of €650, or around $825. Needless to say, the Lobster (Lalique called it a Langoustine which is Crayfish but which also refers to a Spiny or Rock Lobster*) was a bit more of a opportunity than the Bull, Taureau Model No. 1194, which the German seller rightfully calls a “Stier”. There’s likely a story about the Ebay cruiser coming upon the Lobster auction with the low Buy-It-Now and muttering “that ain’t no bull”, but time and inclination do not permit us to digress that far afield. Nonetheless, it was reported by one of our alert readers (with regrets for not being the buyer) that over 10 people viewed the Lobster auction before someone clicked on the Buy-It-Now button. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 150462246093 lobster listing online where you can judge for yourself.****

Rene Lalique Paperweight Lobster - Crayfish - CrawfishMost collectors of Rene Lalique glass will go a lifetime without ever seeing one of these Lobsters in person. And similarly, the vast majority of collectors (the ones that didn’t spring for a Cat Res) will not even see a photo of one, except of course at RLalique.com. We’d observe it’s quite a rare bird**, this Lobster is, except that observation wouldn’t seem on its face to make a lot of sense (though it really does).

Apparently there is something to checking out new Ebay listings several times a day, as many active collectors and dealers have a habit of doing, because you never know when the rare bird, or the under-priced Buy-It-Now piece will appear.

Rene Lalique Paperweight Lobster - Crayfish - CrawfishRumor has it that this rare AND cool Lalique Lobster flew (there goes the bird thing again, let’s say crawled?) to the UK where it will live out its life at ease, and will not be cooked.

Here’s our auction page for this great Lalique Paperweight (whatever you call it), and of course, you can access this and all other auctions we’ve ever listed, in the Past Lalique Auctions section at RLalique.com.

And to all you Ebay addicts that check the listings a dozen times a day, we say Happy Hunting (or … er… hmm …. Happy Fishing?, or maybe Happy Crustating??)!

September 11, 2010 Update: Switched Item Link To Cached Image Version

* A “rare bird” is an exceptional or unique person or thing. It became somewhat commonplace as a phrase in the mid to late 1800’s. It’s a direct translation of the Latin phrase “rara avis” which itself was in use from around 1600 and is sometimes still used in certain circles to this day, circles we read about, but don’t run in:)

** Crayfish and Spiny Lobsters are a bit different to be having one word to describe both of them but what they heck, they are related, though Crayfish live in freshwater and Spiny Lobsters in saltwater. And if any American (or anyone else) is wondering what’s the difference between a Crayfish and a Crawfish, the answer is none, except the spelling and pronunciation (though knowledgeable jingoists insist Crawfish came first!). Of course they aren’t actually fish at all, they’re crustaceans! Whatever you think, keep in mind that all this information comes from a non-seafood eating writer, so if any Cajun Crawfish lovers (love to eat, not lovers in the sense like loving your kids or your dog or your girlfriend — let’s say they “love them to death”) …. if any Cajun Crawfish lovers from Louisiana beg to differ about the no-difference thing, no offense will be taken.

****You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

Fake R Lalique: The Fake Lalique Sauterelles “Grasshopper” Vase – The Quintessential Close Call

April 25th, 2010

Sauterelles Fake Rene Lalique purple VaseFake Lalique is something that all collectors have to be on the lookout for. It’s something that is a problem to varying degrees in every collecting field. In the big scope of things, it’s much less of an issue with R Lalique than in many other areas of collecting, but it still is an issue to be on guard against.

Here is an Ebay listing that in a nutshell* is one of the most prevalent items passed off as the work of Rene Lalique. The stereotypical fake Sauterelles embodies not just ease of identifying fakes for a collector, but also the truth in the concept that “a little knowledge can be dangerous”**.

First, a link to the cached version of the Ebay listing: Ebay Item 140401627596. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.. Fake as fake can be. This supposed Lalique Sauterelles Vase has all the elements. The too tall rim, the too thick rim, the crude finish, the bizarre color. And it has the added oomph of this claim “It was purchased at a Christies auction along with many other signed Lalique pieces.”

Likely, if you had this vase in hand, and you had handled thousands of pieces of R Lalique glass, you would know just from the feel when you picked it up that it’s a complete fake***. This is an easy one to spot no doubt.

Sauterelles Fake Rene Lalique Amber VaseBut consider the danger of knowing about this piece and thinking you know-it-all about the fake Lalique Sauterelles. Because just when you think, “Oh, I can spot that coming a mile away!” the makers may adapt their tactics and go to plans B and C. So like everything else in life, when you learn about something, you have to think about not just what you do know, but what you don’t yet know.

Plan B: Take a vase like the blue/purple Ebay one, pick a more believable color, and then polish up (well, really down) the rim, and get it in a closer and less crude shape to authentic examples. With a better color and a better rim, “first glance” and “mile away” may not put you on alert! See the photo of the Amber Sauterelles Vase above.

Plan C: Start over, use a better, closer to reality glass and finish, and adjust your mold and finish to produce from the get-go**** a better looking product that more closely matches the authentic pieces in color, size, rim, and glass composition. See the photo of the Blue Sauterelles Vase below. Now, many collectors might not know the difference even after inspection if they had not handled sufficient amounts of Lalique glass, or did not take caution in examining the vase. Compare the Blue and Amber Sauterelles photos to the blue/purple one from the Ebay listing and see the improvement in technique between models.

Sauterelles Fake Rene Lalique Blue VaseWhile it is thought that these cruder and usually older fake Sauterelles Vases come from South America, the Plan C vases that we have seen have come from Europe! And of course, Plan B vases can come from anywhere from New York City to Buenos Aires.

So for the Ebay vase, what is one of the easiest copies to spot is also a lesson in what to think about once you have gained some knowledge. Not to bask in the glory of what you know, but to give some thought to what you don’t yet know!

As always, keep in mind that the knowledge or motive of the seller of one of these Fake Lalique items is almost totally irrelevant to you. Your concern is the piece and not the person. Don’t waste your time wondering too much about the seller. Spend your time wondering about the vase. This listing presents a great example of that. Here, the seller makes the Christies provenance representation. Even if they don’t have a receipt to prove it, even if Christies never sold a vase like this, the seller may have been told this by the person or place that they got the vase from. They might just be passing along what they believe to be true. Either way, who cares? The only issue for you as a collector is the authenticity of the vase and not the authenticity of the claims of the seller.

Also, many of these vases were not made with the intent to fool anyone. Someone may have copied the design because they liked it, not to sell it as something it is not. In the Ebay listing, the manufacturer of the vase did not sign it RLalique or whatever. It’s unsigned. So at least at that initial stage, there may have been no intent to deceive, just to copy! And today’s seller may believe everything written in the ad on Ebay. But again, your only concern is the piece in front of you, the here and now, and what you know to be the facts.

You’ll find links to all the information about Rene Lalique Fakes everywhere on RLalique.com in the Fake Lalique Section of the Rene Lalique Biography, including links to the Copies and Close Calls Section of the website where additional photos and information about Lalique Copies can be found including specific information on Fake Sauterelles Vases.

And if you need expert advice in your purchase decisions, take a look at the services offered at RLalique.com in the Lalique Expert Consulting Section of the website. Independent expert advice can and should pay huge dividends when making your purchase decisions. For typically a small percentage of what you are spending, it can prove invaluable in helping you buy with confidence and avoid regrets.

* “In a nutshell” is an old expression used by Shakespeare in the early 1600’s (“….O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell ……..” declares Hamlet) and by Pliny 1500 years before that (when he relates Cicero’s statement that the whole Iliad was written on a piece of parchment which might be put into a nutshell). It means a small space, or something small such as a concise explanation.

**”A little knowledge can be dangerous” – First used by Alexander Pope (1688 – 1744) in An Essay on Criticism, 1709: “A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.”

*** A “complete fake”? This begs the question: What is the difference between a complete fake and a regular fake? The answer: You’ll know it when you see it.

**** Get-go or getgo is American expression, kind of a vernacular contraction without the apostrophe. It really just shortens up the phrase “get going” or the phrase “get ready, get set, go!”. It means the start or the beginning and is usually used with in the form “from the get-go”.

Rene Lalique Goblet Hesperides: A Yellow Lalique Glass Design at Auction

February 9th, 2010

Lalique Goblet HesperidesA nice looking Lalique Goblet Hesperides has appeared at auction with a starting price of only $9.99 and no reserve. The Rene Lalique Hesperides No. 1 is model number 3412, circa 1931 and is almost exactly 5 inches tall. This goblet was produced in clear glass, fume (a light charcoal) and this great yellow color.

The Maine USA seller has 100% feedback with a good number of comparably priced items included; they aren’t all 5 cent postcard feedback! A ton of large photos accompany the listing, there is reasonable shipping (around $12 in the US, $34 to the UK) and paypal of course.

The seller states: ” ….. it is in excellent condition. It has no chips, cracks, interior staining or repairs.”

You can find this great looking goblet listed in the Rene Lalique Auctions section at Rlalique.com.

Lalique Goblet HesperidesColored glass collectors, tableware collectors, heck even a vase collector or collector of smaller items like seals and ashtrays could find a spot on the shelf for a nice colored example of the work of Rene Lalique such as this glass. Our usual caution applies: check it out for yourself!

Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 200437555478 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

And more general information about Lalique glass, check out Rene Lalique Glass section at the RLalique.com Rene Lalique Biography.

April 27th, 2010 Update: Switched Item Link To Cached Image Version

Rene Lalique Boxes: R Lalique Box Auctions Online

January 20th, 2010

Rene Lalique Box models in great original condition are hard find at auction. Three great Lalique Glass Box auctions online have appeared at opposite ends of the “original condition” spectrum.

Lalique Box PerlesA clean fresh to market Rene Lalique Box Perles from the Perles Garniture De Toilette Set is at auction on Ebay thru January 24th. The seller states, “Excellent overall condition with no chips, cracks or dings”. The Catalogue Raisonne model number is 603 and it’s circa 1926. The Dallas Texas seller has a reasonable shipping cost in the U.S. of less than $10, and will ship worldwide. The UK rate is $31.50.

This great Lalique box started out at $9.99 with no reserve, and has worked it’s way up to around $200 as of this writing. Still not all the money by our thinking.

Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 200421594614 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

Lalique Box FontainebleauThe other box item online of interest is just the top to the Rene Lalique Box Fontainebleau, model number 59 and circa 1924. The top by looks and description appears to be in good order. With a starting price of $9.99, it currently is around $45.00 and the auction also goes until January 24th. Typically, it’s the top that gets broken when it slips out of your hand after being removed from the bottom, and we know there are collectors out there with topless bottoms, if you know what we mean. The bottom for the Fontainebleau is a standard bottom that can go with many of the R Lalique boxes and this seems to represent a good opportunity to pair up an orphan bottom.

In addition the molded signature on the side of the cover, the inscription #59 is engraved in tiny numerals on the bottom of the rim of the cover. The Ebay Item Number (cached version) is 330396557189.

Lalique Box CoquillesThere is also a clean looking Coquilles Box Model No. 71 circa 1920 coming up at Harlowe-Powell Auction House in Charlottesville, Virginia on January 23rd. You can bid online for this box at their website. A link and auction details are listed in the Lalique Auctions Worldwide Section where you will find information on all three of these Lalique boxes.

You can also read all the R Lalique box related articles we’ve written at Lalique Boxes.

Rene Lalique Vases: R Lalique Auctions – Online Opportunities

January 18th, 2010

Lalique Auction Vase DomremyRene Lalique Vases have been listed at auctions online that appear to be good opportunities for R Lalique collectors. We thought we’d steer you to a few of the most prominent of these good looking Lalique auction offerings, which of course you should fully investigate on your own. In that regard, you may want to review the Rene Lalique Buying Guide online at RLalique.com. And as always, you can see all of these vases in the Lalique Auctions section of the website.

One seller has put up a few nice looking Lalique vases: A Grenade vase in Amber Glass, a Domremy Vase in Green Glass, and a Rampillon Vase in Opalescent. All three started out a few days ago at $0.99 no reserve, and have a couple of days to go, expiring on January 20th. The Des Moines Iowa seller has good photos showing the vases in detail, along with whatever wear and tear has occurred over time.

Here are links to a saved/cached image version of the original listings online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

Lalique Auction Vase DomremyThe Green Domremy Vase is Ebay Item No. 180457081735

The Amber Grenade Vase is Ebay Item No. 180457079508

The Opalescent Rampillon Vase is Ebay Item No. 180457074457

Another nice looking opportunity is the Rene Lalique Vase Nefliers which appeared online, with a $24.88 starting price and no reserve. This circa 1923 vase is in San Francisco and the auction for it ends on January 26th. Again, several photos showing all the details and good description.

The Nefliers is Ebay Item No. 170433356813

UPDATED April 5, 2010 to change item links to cached versions.

Rene Lalique Box Rambouillet: A Classic Lalique Design at Auction

January 14th, 2010

Rene Lalique Box Rambouillet At Auction

Lalique Box RambouilletA nice looking Rambouillet covered box popped up online late yesterday at auction. This circa 1924 Lalique box features a Lalique design of two herons on the cover. Both the box top and bottom sport molded R. Lalique signatures. It’s model No. 60 in the R.Lalique Catalogue Raisonne appearing on page 233 of the 2004 Edition.

The seller states the box is “damage free” and there are a dozen photos in the listing for your detailed inspection. The starting price is $199 and there is no reserve. And more good news: in the U.S. it’s only $7.50 to ship from the Escondido California seller. The seller added information to the listing that they will accept bids and ship overseas except for mainland China. See the listing for details.

Lalique Box RambouilletSeems like a good Lalique auction opportunity on a fresh to market Rene Lalique box in apparently good condition. The auction goes to January 20th. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 370320212283 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

You can see this box in the Rene Lalique Auction Section on RLalique.com, and you can see other News and Blog box articles at this link for Rene Lalique Boxes.

Lalique Box RambouilletFinally, if you are looking for the out-of-print and hard to find 2004 Catalogue Raisonne, check the modern Rene Lalique Books category of the Lalique Books and Library Section at RLalique.com where you’ll find the 2004 Catalogue Raisonne in stock as well as nearly 1000 other titles throughout the Library related to the great Rene Lalique.

Rene Lalique Statuette De La Fontaine Ashtray: The 1925 Art Deco Exposition Fountain and Source De La Fontaine Lalique Statues

January 7th, 2010

Lalique Ashtray Statuette De La FontaineRene Lalique created a wonderful fountain for the 1925 Paris Exposition Des Arts Décoratifs, the Art Deco Exposition. And full size Source De La Fontaine Lalique statues of the designs that were incorporated into that fountain sell for many thousands of dollars. In creating his great fountain, Les Sources De France, Rene Lalique was following in the footsteps of the tradition in Paris of the great French fountain builders dating back to the middle ages when fountains were first constructed to provide drinking water to the people of Paris!

Lalique knew he had conceived a great design, not just for the fountain in its entirety, but also in the style and motif of the large glass statues which were the fountain elements. As a result, he also made a miniature statuette model in the style of the fountain statues set in his classic round cendrier with centerpiece. In this case, the centerpiece is the Statuette De La Fontaine.

Lalique Ashtray Statuette De La FontaineToday, this style cendrier in all its forms is commonly called a ring dish by sellers either because they don’t know, or because “ashtray” is not usually the best selling point.

A nice looking example of the Rene Lalique Cendrier Statuette De La Fontaine has appeared at auction, in apparently great condition with a starting price of just $99 and no reserve. The seller states there is no damage.

Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 130357207907 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

This ashtray is listed in the Lalique Auctions Section at RLalique.com.

And you can learn more about Rene Lalique’s contributions to the 1925 Paris Expo and the international acclaim he achieved by his accomplishments there, in the Lalique Books and Library Section! Most of the Lalique biography books available there cover the subject in some detail.

The Statuette De La Fontaine Cendrier: A clean design, a no-reserve auction, and a relatively inexpensive memento of the great Lalique Art Deco Fountain.

Rene Lalique Boxes: Lalique Box Deux Sirenes – A Large Opalescent Lalique Glass Box at Auction

October 26th, 2009

Rene Lalique Box Deux Sirenes In Lalique Opalescent GlassA nice looking Lalique Box, the large Rene Lalique Deux Sirenes Covered Box in Opalescent Glass has appeared online at a starting price of only $24.99 and no reserve. This is the 10 inch large round box with a glass base.

The highly rated San Diego seller states: “CONDITION: In excellent condition with no chips, cracks or nicks of any kind. See photos for details of glass. I would be happy to email additional, larger photos.” There are lots of large detailed photos in the ad, and reasonable US shipping of $35.

This is a classic Lalique design with Lalique’s signature opalescent glass, in the always popular all glass large R Lalique box model. Seems it might be worth a look!

The auction ends November 1st. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 120484545658 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

You can also find this box on our R Lalique Auctions page, or in the Auctions Past section after it’s over, along with lots of other great R Lalique auction items from across the globe.

Rene Lalique Auctions: Lalique Antiques Online

October 24th, 2009

Rene Lalique glass (and a book!) at fair prices and no reserves online got our attention this week, and we thought we’d share our observations on a few of these current R Lalique antiques auctions with you.

Note: This page was updated on December 31, 2009 to change the links to the Ebay items from the actual listings to cached/saved copies of those listings. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

Rene Lalique Bowl Veronique with Silver RimFirst up, a silver rimmed Lalique Veronique Opalescent Bowl, #397. These silver rims were added post factory to pieces both in the period and as recently as yesterday :). Two reasons of course. First is decorative and personal preference, maybe a retailer enhancement (we know that sounds like three reasons but it’s really only one if you think about it). Second is to cover up damage and restore the usability of a piece. We always look at these with great caution, but the concept is found attractive by many potential buyers and silver rimmed items are saleable barring other problems. This is a good looking, somewhat opalescent bowl, in apparent good condition, and hardly seems a risk at the current price of around $125 U.S. dollars. The auction ends October 25th. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 180421636980 listing online.

Rene Lalique Bowl Saint-DenisNext up is a piece that every time we see it, we think about the old Superman TV show in black and white seen on the nearly round TV screens of the early 60’s ….. it’s a vase, it’s stemware, it’s a chalice …… no, it’s a bowl (it’s also a stretch, but it did come to mind)! The Saint Denis bowl #388, in apparent good condition (the seller notes the bowl is slightly cloudy), black enamel on the stem, and under $10 to start with no reserve. Hmmmm. Hard to pass up. If you were wondering, Saint Denis is now basically engulfed as a suburb of Paris. The cathedral there is rich in history, being famous as the place where French Queens were crowned, and French Kings were buried! Are these two things related? The auction ends October 28th. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 290362239638 listing online.

Lalique Par Lalique BookThird on the list is the early, smaller (300 pages or so) edition of Lalique Par Lalique, 1977. $9.99 no reserve, with dustcover, in good condition, and $6 shipping in the US. Seems it would be cheap as chips, if it were in Britain of course. Oh …. and signed by someone (see photo)! If your name is Dick, this has to be hard to pass up. 🙂 The auction ends October 27th. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 170397120939 listing online.

Rene Lalique Vase MyrrhisFourth on the list is the Rene Lalique Vase Myrrhis, a rare and not so great looking vase (opinions vary), but if you buy by the pound or the inch, a bargain at its current price of $160 and no reserve. And to be fair, a bargain for however you buy if you can get it near this price. The auction ends October 28th. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 130339068924 listing online.

Last in our wrap-up is an Souris Mouse Cendrier Ashtray in opalescent glass. In pretty good shape, there may be a small chip on the nose (better than a big chip on the shoulder of course), but the starting price of 1 Brit Pound, and the current price of around 27 Pounds, seems to more than take a minor matter or two into consideration! The auction ends October 31st. Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 250517976871 listing online.

Rene Lalique Ashtray CourisWe’ve listed all of these items in our Rene Lalique Auctions Worldwide section here on the site. And of course, our usual caution to make your own investigation of the condition, and also to carefully review the terms of the sale if you take an interest in any of the items.

Rene Lalique Cire Perdue Glass Vase: An R Lalique Opportunity Knocks?

September 27th, 2009

Lalique Vase Coq Et Plumes - Not Cire PerdueQuick! Your chance to grab a cheap piece of R Lalique Cire Perdue Glass is evaporating with each passing second. Just as the lost wax melts away, so your opportunity is draining away as well. Run, don’t walk to your computer (oh, you already are on your computer, hmmmmmmm) and bid early and often on the Rene Lalique Cire Perdue Vase that has appeared on Ebay. Here’s the title of the ad:

Art Deco R Lalique Cire Perdue Vase COQ Crystal Signed!

And here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 400075284244 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.
Get your bid in before some smart buyer gets the seller to sell it cheap off-line and stop the sale.

This is the best line from the description: “Up for consideration from the estate is an Art Deco R Lalique Cire Perdue Vase that was located in a locked curio cabinet in the family room.” Glad to know it was in a locked cabinet. That’s a mark of authenticity if ever there was one, and something all potential buyers really need to know if they have any doubts about the claims of the seller. Yes, it was locked up totally, which means it’s definitely Cire Perdue. 🙂

If you are tempted to jump right in with that big bid, you might want to consider The Rene Lalique Consulting Services we offer before throwing your money away :).

And of course, you can see some examples of real R Lalique Cire Perdue by checking out the blog posts here at RLalique.com that discuss Cire Perdue. And we also we have a few R Lalique Cire Perdue Vases partially pictured on the Rene Lalique Bio page as well.

Be careful out there. And oh, doesn’t this Cire Perdue Glass vase look strangely similar to the R.Lalique production vase Coq Et Plumes? Probably just the lighting in the photo.

Rene Lalique Ashtray-Cendrier Moineau in Lalique’s Classic Yellow Amber Glass: R Lalique At Auction

September 27th, 2009

Lalique Ashtray Moineau in Yellow GlassRene Lalique’s great ashtray – cendrier designs are dissed a lot these days. Ring dish is the latest modern preferred phrase when referring to one, but there are others. Today’s entry is a Rene Lalique “Ring Holder”! Close enough.

$9.99 to start and a no reserve auction on a yellow amber R Lalique Ring Holder Moineau, or whatever nom de plume or misnomer it’s given. It’s still an R Lalique Ashtray of course no matter what you call it. This whole PC naming thing is for the birds of course.

Online ending Oct 2nd, from a highly rated seller: 6500 feedbacks at 99.9%. Not bad. The southern California seller states:

“Super item in excellent condition, I find no chips cracks scratches or repair”.

Lalique Ashtray Moineau in Yellow GlassHere is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 350257386001 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image. All you “Ring Holder” collectors might want to check it out. The auction ends October 2nd.

This great little ashtray is also listed in the Rene Lalique Auctions Section here at RLalique.com.

December 3rd, 2009 Update: Switched Item Link To Cached Image Version

Rene Lalique Christ Statue: R Lalique Religious Plaque – A Rene Lalique Crucifix At Auction

September 21st, 2009

Rene Lalique Statue Christ on CrossA Rene Lalique Christ Statue in the form of a Lalique crucifix plaque in wooden base has appeared at auction with a $9.99 starting price and no reserve.

This R Lalique Statue of Christ, in the form of a crucifix, is catalogue raisonne number #1212 in the wooden base version. It’s a good-size statue, measuring about 10 inches in height overall including base. The seller, with 100% feedback, provides free shipping in the U.S., and represents the condition as follows:

Rene Lalique Plaque of Christ on CrossThis is In very nice shape no scratches the wood base has minor paint loss due to age, and there is one minor flea bite on the bottom probably due to being pulled from the wood base.

The seller has also included extensive photos so you can judge for yourself the condition details of both the statue and the base. The wood base is likely not the preferred display method for may owners due to the tendency of wood bases to show wear and tear over the years. However there is a certain period and historical charm to have an original well-worn base sporting a statue in near perfect (according to the seller of course:) condition.

Rene Lalique Statue of Christ on the CrossA nice R Lalique glass item to purchase and donate to a local church for their own use or as a raffle item, or as an amazing gift to the right person, or of course to add to your collection of the works of the great Lalique. There are sufficient numbers of religious objects designed by Rene Lalique, especially representations of Christ, that they comprise a collecting field in their own right. They are also of interest to collectors of religious artwork and glass decorative objects that collect a variety of makers in addition to the works of Lalique.

Rene Lalique Statue of Christ on the CrossHere is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 120471841877 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image. You can also see this great Rene Lalique Statue listed in the Rene Lalique Auctions Worldwide Section, where you will also find additional works of Rene Lalique at Auction all across the globe.

December 3rd, 2009 Update: Switched Item Link To Cached Image Version

Rene Lalique Ashtrays and the R Lalique Theory of Buses

September 19th, 2009

One of the nice guys (you might ask if there are any other kind) in R Lalique collecting has what we call The R Lalique Theory of Buses. He says, with the frustration of a collector that can’t find what he’s looking for: “R Lalique pieces are like buses. You can never find one when you are looking for one, but when you aren’t looking, they just keep coming down the road.”

Rene Lalique Ashtray PelicanWell, his theory was proved right once again last night with the appearance on Ebay of another rare Rene Lalique Ashtray Pelican in Opalescent Glass. This would be the second one in less than two months! We wrote at the end of July about the appearance of one of these rare Rene Lalique Ashtrays that came up for auction with a very low starting price and no reserve. It made $1343, a price we considered extremely reasonable at the time.

The latest entry in the pelican contest appeared with a low reserve of $200 that has already been met. The seller has a clean rating and states:

Condition is excellent with no chips, cracks, or restoration.

Here is a link to a saved/cached image version of the original 110436377977 listing online. You may have to use the zoom function of your browser (or whatever program opens images for you) to get the cached image to expand in the window if it does not appear full size. After clicking on the link to the item, a new window will open with the cached image in it. On a Mac, just click on the image and see if that expands it. If not, press the apple key and click on the cached image in your browser window. On a PC, hold down the alt key while clicking on the cached image.

Rene Lalique Pelican AshtrayAnd for those of you on the edge of your seats who are wondering about the history of all this: The first known public bus was introduced by none other than Blaise Pascal, the great French mathematician and philosopher in Paris in 1662. It consisted of a multi-seat carriage. And unknown (until now) to our frustrated collector friend who put together the whole R Lalique Theory of Buses, that is the historical tie that connects the works of another great Frenchman (the one we are most interested in), that came along centuries later, to the whole worldwide bus continuum*! Who could have guessed?

And who is the philosophizing collector, the Pascal wannabe that came up with all this bus stuff? Well, we won’t throw him under the bus** by revealing his identity. Sorry, we couldn’t resist that one.

You can also find this item listed in our Rene Lalique Auctions section here at RLalique.com.

*Until the movie Back to the Future came out, most people had never heard the word “continuum“. It was used in the movie in the phrase “The Space-Time Continuum“. Continuum refers to a coherent whole that can be characterized as a progression or sequence. And no, we are not going to discuss the flux capacitor. That is beyond the scope of this article.

** Throw Under The Bus is a recent American phrase, coming into use in the last 20 or 30 years. No one knows (well, no one that we know knows) the exact origin, but generally it’s used to indicate betrayal, or sacrificing someone else, such a friend or colleague.

December 3rd, 2009 Update: Switched Item Link To Cached Image Version

 
 

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