René Lalique, Chiens et serpents dans feuillage, impressive pendant in gold and moulded glass depicting two greyhounds and two bicephalous snakes in foliage enhanced by different tones of blue enamel. The jewel is set with a unheated cushion cut Ceylon sapphire (approx. 13 ct) according to the Gübelin gemological report n° 18080093 dated 28/08/2018, width 7.5 cm, height 9.5 cm (damages and restoration) The pendant comes with a cable chain and a Lalique case. During the Art Nouveau period, the fine craftsmanship of jewellers became recognised for excellence. René Lalique (1860-1945) won acclaim as one of the most important artists of this era. Having studied in London for two years, he visited all the museums and collections in the British capital before returning to Paris in 1880 to complete his training.  His drawings caught the attention of his contemporaries, famous jewellers and in particular, Jules Destape, who offered the taking-over of his workshop to Lalique. Influenced by the Naturalism movement, René Lalique derived inspiration from the wildlife, flora and fauna seen during "his childhood spent in Champagne" and skilfully combines these themes with a wide array of precious stones, glasses and enamels. He used these materials to enhance natural shapes, female figures and the supernatural being. He surrounded himself with the very best sculptors, enamellers and engravers, adapting their skills to suit his needs in order to attain his own conception of "ultimate art". It was only during the Salons of 1897 and 1898, and the universal exhibition in 1900 that his peers Henri Vever and Emile Gallé finally acknowledged him. The latter, bewitched, said of René Lalique: "He brings jeweller's craftmanship in a new era and is redefining the very idea of modern jewellery". "René Lalique stands with the greatest names of all the time in history of art, and his very personal skills and outstanding imagination will be admired by the elite of the future" Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955) "Chiens et serpents dans feuillage" features themes dear to René Lalique. The fluid, curving snake and Japanese-inspired foliage were recurring Art Nouveau patterns. The blue enamel reflects Lalique's preferences for cold colours. In the centre, an important unheated Ceylon sapphire of approximately 13 carats glorifies this exceptional piece of art.  Bibliographic references:  - Luxembourg's Museum,  "René Lalique, Bijoux d'exception 1890-1912", exhibition catalogue, Paris 2007, pp. 108 - S. Barten, "René Lalique: Schmuck und Objets d'Art, 1890-1910", Munich Prestal-Verlag, 1977, pp 319, N°639

René Lalique, Chiens et serpents dans feuillage, impressive pendant in gold and moulded glass depicting two greyhounds and two bicephalous snakes in foliage enhanced by different tones of blue enamel. The jewel is set with a unheated cushion cut Ceylon sapphire (approx. 13 ct) according to the Gübelin gemological report n° 18080093 dated 28/08/2018, width 7.5 cm, height 9.5 cm (damages and restoration)
The pendant comes with a cable chain and a Lalique case.

During the Art Nouveau period, the fine craftsmanship of jewellers became recognised for excellence. René Lalique (1860-1945) won acclaim as one of the most important artists of this era. Having studied in London for two years, he visited all the museums and collections in the British capital before returning to Paris in 1880 to complete his training.  His drawings caught the attention of his contemporaries, famous jewellers and in particular, Jules Destape, who offered the taking-over of his workshop to Lalique. Influenced by the Naturalism movement, René Lalique derived inspiration from the wildlife, flora and fauna seen during "his childhood spent in Champagne" and skilfully combines these themes with a wide array of precious stones, glasses and enamels. He used these materials to enhance natural shapes, female figures and the supernatural being. He surrounded himself with the very best sculptors, enamellers and engravers, adapting their skills to suit his needs in order to attain his own conception of "ultimate art". It was only during the Salons of 1897 and 1898, and the universal exhibition in 1900 that his peers Henri Vever and Emile Gallé finally acknowledged him. The latter, bewitched, said of René Lalique: "He brings jeweller's craftmanship in a new era and is redefining the very idea of modern jewellery".

"René Lalique stands with the greatest names of all the time in history of art, and his very personal skills and outstanding imagination will be admired by the elite of the future"
Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955)


"Chiens et serpents
dans feuillage" features themes dear to René Lalique. The fluid, curving snake
and Japanese-inspired foliage were recurring Art Nouveau patterns. The
blue enamel reflects Lalique's preferences for cold colours. In the centre, an
important unheated Ceylon sapphire of approximately 13 carats glorifies this exceptional
piece of art. 

Bibliographic references: 
- Luxembourg's Museum,  "René Lalique, Bijoux d'exception 1890-1912", exhibition catalogue, Paris 2007, pp. 108
- S. Barten, "René Lalique: Schmuck und Objets d'Art, 1890-1910", Munich Prestal-Verlag, 1977, pp 319, N°639

1 saphir taille coussin:
Dimensions: 13.93x11.31x(environ 8.90) mm
Poids: environ 13 carats

Poinçons: 'Lalique' / poinçons français (tête d'aigle) / de maître Lalique