A gold and enamel pendant by René Lalique

A gold and enamel pendant by René Lalique, c.1900, the centre blue pâte de verre plaque depicting the profile of an ethereal nymph-like female figure with iridescent surround, the gold pierced border formed with intertwining cornflowers each with light blue enamel detail and further mounted with shaped blue paste cabochons, the reverse chased with fine detail, signed, 6.5cm wide

Rene Lalique (1860 - 1945) had a fascination with nature, which was heavily influenced by his formative years during holidays to the French countryside. He went on to study jewellery and design in Paris and London, and started as an apprentice goldsmith to Louis Aucos on his return to Paris. It was as a freelance artist that he was noticed by some of the great French jewellers such as Cartier and Boucheron.

In 1885, he opened his own business designing and making his own jewellery and glasswork. In 1895, he also created pieces for Samuel Bing's Paris shop, the Maison de L'Art Nouveau, which gave the movement its name.

Lalique soon began gaining wide recognition in European society, attracting the attention of major patrons such as Sarah Bernhardt. His most prominent patron was Calouste Gulbenkien who commissioned more than a hundred and forty works over almost thirty years.

As well as his wonderful use of natural subjects and insects, Lalique was also fascinated with the portrayal of ethereal maidens and nymphs. Lot 1555 is a fine example of this in which an almost ghostly form has been captured and subtly highlighted with the delicate use of iridescence.