Design Research Assignment
Rene Lalique
Rene Lalique’s as a designer is absolutely inspirational to me. He was a multi-faceted designer who chose to explore a number of different categories of design and in each one, was incredibly successful. In this research assignment I will be focusing on one of many of Laliques jewellery pieces that have captivated my heart.
Here we have a beautiful ring by Rene Lalique. This ring has been made from gold and enamel and the stone is a gorgeous peridot.[2] It is a very symmetrical design which is quite common of Lalique’s work and even though it is symmetrical, the ring still has an incredibly organic or even raw feel about it and is inspired by the natural and forms of the art nouveau movement which typically display asymmetrical designs. I find that the symmetry of this piece also enhances a sense of harmony between all of the various elements in the design. The use of colour in the ring work very well together and i love how the enamel on the birds is a swirl of blues and greens and not one flat colour as this adds a sense a dimension and gives an almost life like feel. The colour of the stone compliments the colours of the birds very well and also help to create a sense of unity in the piece as all the elements flow very nicely. No element of the piece is conflicting. There is a wonderful textured or surface treatment on the gold of the ring which adds to the organic feel of the ring. Spatially, the ring looks well balanced and although it is not necessarily a dainty ring, the simple elegance of the ring gives it a delicate look. The gold that outlines and go within the birds help to highlight their deep rich colour. The fact that the birds are facing each other and holding a single unit makes them look like they are one element and to me they seem to symbolise love. They give of a sense of serenity. The beauty of this ring is fascinating.
A brief biography of Rene Lalique
Rene Jules Lalique was born in Ay, France in the year 1860. He started studying at an art college in France when he was twelve years old and started work as a goldsmith’s apprentice at the age of fourteen and after two years of apprenticeship he moved to England where he attended Sydenham Art College for a further two years.[3] Rene Lalique, in his early days, was commissioned to make jewellery for various jewellery houses such as Cartier and Boucheron.[4] Lalique was most famous for his career in jewellery but was also had incredibly successful careers making perfume bottles and vases out of glass which are absolutely breathtaking and he also made hood ornaments. By the time of his death in 1945, Lalique had a multitude of in depth, successful careers and had hugely influenced the way that people would look at modern jewellery in the future.[5]
I find myself sharing the same inspirations as the great Lalique himself as he was hugely influenced by the natural, organic world as well as the Japanese scenery and world[6] and he was also hugely influenced by mythological creatures and scenes of the imagination. [7] Rene Lalique commonly depicted images of half women, half animals in his jewellery pieces.[8]His work in my opinion embodies the ethos of the Art Nouveau movement as his pieces are very feminine, flowing, gentle pieces that beautifully depict the free-flowing beauty of nature.
Rene Lalique usually worked with gold and silver but would sometimes make bronze jewellery too.[9] He would choose stones based on the beauty they added to the piece and not on the price of the stones and he would use semi-precious stones, pearls, glass and ivory and he was particularly fond of using enamel in his jewellery.[10] He made vases and perfume bottles as well as clocks out of glass. And he would also make beautiful hair combs out of ivory.[11]
Rene Lalique’s creations are whimsical and full of imagination and fantasy as well as a deep romance and one cannot help but to be fascinated by the intricacies of his works of art.
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Lalique [online][accessed June 2nd]
http://www.cristallalique.fr/v2/english.html [online][accessed June 1st]
http://rlalique.com/rene-lalique-biography.html[online] [accessed June 2nd]
[3]Wikipedia.Rene Lalique [updated 28 May 2011] Available at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Lalique [accessed June 2nd]
[5]Maison Lalique Website, Available at:
http://www.cristallalique.fr/v2/english.html [accessed June 1st]
[6] RLalique Antiques Website, Available at:
http://rlalique.com/rene-lalique-biography.html [accessed June 2nd]
[7]Maison Lalique Website, Available at:
http://www.cristallalique.fr/v2/english.html [accessed June 1st]
Very well written Roxanne. You are describing the elements with confidence and the various aspects of the research are well integrated. Avoid 'nice' and 'I like'. Be explicit in your descriptions, eg: describe the texture(smooth, rough, sandy etc). Describe what makes it organic (the type of line etc)
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