http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/sandamichaela-1998662-ren-lalique1/

René Jules Lalique (1860 – 1945) was a French glass designer known for his creations of perfume bottles, vases, jewellery, chandeliers, clocks and automobile hood ornaments. He started a glassware firm, named after himself, which still remains successful. He went on to be one of the most famous in his field, his name synonymous with creativity, beauty and quality. Lalique reinvented jewelry. A contemporary asked, "Prior to René Lalique, what was jewelry? The old jewel was based upon the idea of wealth; the new is built upon an artistic idea." Jewelry had relied on gems, particularly diamonds, and on precious metals. But between about 1892 and 1897 Lalique developed an approach that emphasized artistry over intrinsic value. He introduced horn and other new materials and made extensive use of glass, enamel, ivory, and semiprecious stones. Lalique especially loved the ever-changing iridescence of opals. It has been said that where the old jewelry sparkled, Lalique's glowed.

A contemporary of Lalique, Vever made this flower pin. It is made of Mississippi River Pearls and plique-a-jour leaves. Called a ‘bodice ornament’, it was shown at the 1900 Exposition Universelles in Paris. They truly loved items from nature in those days.

Text & pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Franz Schubert - Impromptu for piano in A flat major;Sylvia Capova - piano