Buckle thumbnail 1
Buckle thumbnail 2
+4
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Buckle

about 1897 (made)
Artist/Maker
Lalique, René Jules (maker)
Place of origin
France (made)
Paris (made)

Irises were one of the most persistent motifs in Japanese art. This buckle is a fine example of the influence of Japan on Art Nouveau design. The irises are not only decorative but also give the piece its outline, which is created by extending the long leaves above the flowers and curling them over into a continuous line.


Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
Metalwork
Jewellery
Accessories
SCRAN
Object type
Buckle
Materials and techniques
Partially gilded silver
Silver
Gilt
Parcel Gilding
Brief description
Buckle of partially gilded silver, by René Lalique (1860-1945), made in Paris, about 1895
Physical description
Large buckle of partially gilded silver with asymmetrical, curving profile. It depicts a row of irises with foliage growing out of the water.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.2cm
  • Width: 8.8cm
Style
Art Nouveau
Marks and inscriptions
Maker's mark of René Lalique. French import mark for 1893 onwards
Object history
Art Nouveau Exhibition, Bowes Museum RF.2005/100
Subject depicted
Iris
Summary
Irises were one of the most persistent motifs in Japanese art. This buckle is a fine example of the influence of Japan on Art Nouveau design. The irises are not only decorative but also give the piece its outline, which is created by extending the long leaves above the flowers and curling them over into a continuous line.
Bibliographic references
  • Greenhalgh, Paul (Ed.), Art Nouveau: 1890-1914 . London: V&A Publications, 2000
  • Becker, Vivienne. The Jewellery of René Lalique, London : Goldsmith's Company, 1987 no.65
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
M.111-1966

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Record createdDecember 19, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O87977/buckle-lalique-rené-jules/
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