Gallé Vase Decorated With Purple Clematis

Lobed vase signed Gallé with clematis decoration. Emile Gallé (Nancy: 1846-1904) was a French master glassmaker, cabinetmaker and ceramicist. After an apprenticeship in various European cities, he joined his father's earthenware and glass decoration company in 1867. Ten years later, he took over the family business and was awarded three prizes at the 1889 Paris World's Fair for his glassware and furniture. The same year he had the Établissements Émile Gallé built. Nature played a major role in his work. In 1901 he founded the Nancy school and upon his death, his widow took over the artistic and industrial activity of the glassworks. The Établissements Gallé company, thus transformed in 1927, would cease production in 1931.