The Oakleaf vase was one of Gallé's favourite designs. A number of versions were made, both fire-polished as here and also left with the marks of the carver's tools unsmoothed. Gallé felt a deep affinity with the forest throughout his life. His furniture was made of many woods, each of which held particular meaning for him. The doors to the Gallé factory were in carved oak and carried his personal motto 'Ma racine est au fond des bois' ('my roots are in the depth of the woods'). The precise meaning of each wood is not always clear. However, the oak has clear associations with re-birth each spring, and strength and longevity. Colour too was important, and the greens of this vase invoke the dappled light of the deep forest.