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Tiara comb
Lalique, René Jules, born 1860 - died 1945 - Enlarge image
Tiara comb
- Place of origin:
Paris (made)
- Date:
1903-4 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Lalique, René Jules, born 1860 - died 1945 (made)
- Materials and Techniques:
Horn, cast glass, enamelled gold and fire opals
- Museum number:
M.116A-1966
- Gallery location:
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery, case 55, shelf A, box 2
The Art Nouveau style caused a dramatic shift in jewellery design, reaching a peak around 1900 when it triumphed at the Paris International Exhibition.
Its followers created sinuous, organic pieces whose undercurrents of eroticism and death were a world away from the floral motifs of earlier generations. Art Nouveau jewellers like René Lalique also distanced themselves from conventional precious stones and put greater emphasis on the subtle effects of materials such as glass, horn and enamel.
René Lalique, 'the admitted king of Paris fashions', chose his materials for aesthetic effect and artistic refinement, not for mere preciousness or brilliance. Credited with introducing horn into the jewellery repertoire, he dazzled the public with a collection of ornamental combs made of horn. They were moulded and sculpted in the shape of flowers, waves and butterflies.
