E. GALLE

French designer Emile Gallè is considered to be one of the leading driving forces behind the Art Nouveau movement. His naturalistic designs incorporated with innovative techniques makes him one of the pioneering glass makers of the late 19th, early 20th century. Taking his inspiration from nature and plants along with a heavy Japanese feel it is no wonder the French have been known to describe his work as “poetry in glass” and across the globe collectors are willing to pay premium prices just to own an example of this talented iconic designers masterpieces.

Born in the Eastern French town of Nancy, in 1846 Emile Gallè was almost destined to become a glassmaker as his father, Charles Gallè was already a successful faience and tradition glassmaker with his own factory. After studying botany, philosophy and art he later went on to learn the technique of glassmaking at Meisenthal before joining his father at the factory in 1867.

Gallè also travelled extensively around Europe developing his knowledge of glassmaking by visiting museums and studying the work of other influencial designers. He was introduced to techniques such as enamelling which he discovered in the Oriental collection at the Victoria and Albert museum in London and was fascinated by the cameo works of great designers such as Eugene Rousseau. On his return to Nancy he started to experiment with his new found knowledge with his early work mainly being clear glass decorated with enamels but it was when he replaced his father as director of the factory in 1877 that he took his work to another level.