NORFOLK – Starting Sept. 15, the Chrysler Museum of Art will house a collection of luxury glass.
The new exhibition, titled “René Lalique: Enchanted by Glass,” will showcase Lalique’s glass decor, jewelry, drawings and production molds.
According to a news release, Lalique is known to be one of the “most talented and influential French designers of the 20th century.” The designer trained through an apprenticeship with Parisian jewelry designer Louis Aucoc in the Art Nouveau style and also freelanced for Cartier and Boucheron. Lalique would open his own shop in 1885.
By 1890, Lalique’s designs were favored among celebrities. Soon, his experiments led him to craft perfume bottles for perfumer François Coty.
Lalique displayed his jewelry at the 1900 Paris Exposition to wide acclaim and by 1909, he was mass-producing perfume bottles in his factory. The factory continues to produce crystal tablewares, jewelry and perfume bottles today.
The exhibition incorporates over 200 pieces – ranging from “jewelry, medallions, bottles, tableware, smoking accessories, lamps, clocks to automobile mascots,” which are more commonly called radiator caps or hood ornaments.
“The opportunity to exhibit an extensive collection of works by an important French artist such as Lalique comes along infrequently,” said Diane C. Wright, Barry curator of glass, in a news release. “We are thrilled to be able to present this show to the Hampton Roads community and to broaden the public’s understanding of glass production and design coming from France in the 20th century.”
“René Lalique: Enchanted by Glass” is on view from Sept. 15 to Jan. 21, 2018.
An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14. Admission is free for museum members and $15 for guests.
A private tour of the exhibition with the Barry curator of glass Diane Wright will be held on Friday, Sept. 15. A demo will be given by Amie NcNeel afterward. Admission is $5 for museum members and $10 for guests.
Get details for the reception, tour and demo online.
Participate in the exhibition conversation on social media by using #ChrylserLalique on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Send news tips to news@wydaily.com
