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Oakleaf

Vase
ca. 1895 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Oakleaf (manufacturer's title)
  • du Chêne (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Cased, wheel-cut, acid-etched and fire-polished glass
Brief description
Vase, France, Lorraine (Nancy), designed by Emile Gallé, for Gallé glassworks, 1895-1900
Physical description
Inscribed with "Galle"wheel-cut.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.3cm
  • Width: 15.2cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
'Gallé' wheel-cut (Makers's mark)
Gallery label
The Oakleaf vase was a favourite design and a number of versions were made, both fire-polished as here and also left with the marks of the carver's tools unsmoothed. Throughout his life, Gallé felt a deep affinity to the forest and 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 embellished with his personal motto 'Ma racine est au fond des bois' (my roots are in the depth of the woods). Identifying the precise significance of each is not always possible but the oak has clear associations with re-birth or regeneration each Spring, with the potency of the acorn and the miracle of strength and longevity. Colour too was important and the greens of this vase invoke the dappled depths of the forest.
Credit line
Given by Dr John MacGregor
Summary
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.
Other number
9449 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Accession number
C.599-1920

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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