Lalique glass makes use of influential Art Deco images such as female figures and faces. These also come in intricately shaped bowls, vases and bottles. The glass was invented by a French man named Rene Lalique in the early 20th century. Because of the popularity of the Lalique glass, a lot of glassmakers are re-creating various glass pieces and labeling them as Lalique glass. If you are a collector of these items, it is important to know how to correctly identify Laliques so you avoid buying fake models.
Look for the markings on the glass. Authentic Lalique glass is often marked, whereas pressed glass are left unmarked. The glass will be marked with “R Lalique,” possibly including “France” and a specific model number.
Check the color of the glass. Lalique comes in red, amber, green and blue. Since red is the hardest color and form to work with, it is much sought after by most buyers and frequently duplicated by modern fakes. A real Lalique would cost around $8,000, whereas a Lalique-style vase (or fake ones) would be somewhere around $650 in price.
Examine the details of the glass’s design. Authentic Lalique glass is known for its fine detail. A glass decanter, for example, has a frosted and bulbous figure that showcases its streamlined and delicate design. It has a fish pattern right at the bottom of the glass, while a rotunda-shaped container has female silhouettes that display Lalique’s Art Deco style.
Check the glass material. Lalique is made of opalescent glass. You will be able to see its effect more in high-relief areas. It may be difficult to examine its material on thin walls.
Weigh the Lalique glass in your hands. Authentic Lalique glass is heavy, whereas fake ones are a lot lighter in comparison.
Writer Bio
Based in West Windsor, N.J., Allison Melman has been writing health- and travel-related articles since 1999. Her work has appeared in "Salon" and "Better Health" magazines. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Southern Connecticut State University.
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