Emile Gallé (1846 - 1904)

glass, the delicately striped ground inlaid with four Colchicum Autumnale, their petals finely carved, the foot applied and carved with four leaf forms over foil highlights

Helmuth Meißner, Dresden, from whom seized by the East German Secret Service for export in 1982
Withdrawn from export for the Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin at Schloß Köpenick
Restituted from the Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin to the heirs of Herr Meißner in 2007

Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin, Glas Der Moderne, 1880 - 1930, catalogue, Berlin 1994, p.60, no. 9.
Further vases from this series are illustrated, Alastair Duncan and Georges de Bartha, Glass by Gallé, London 1987, p.92.

A large and fine example of this model. Colours are richer with better contrast and carved detail more pronounced than suggested in catalogue illustration. There are some typical bubbles and seeds within the glass including a larger black shallow adhesion on the back of the vase (approx. 1/4 of the way down the back of the piece) as seen in the catalogue illustration. This is 5mm long by 3mm wide. There is some typical wear to the underside of the foot commensurate with age. There is some very minor surface wear in places.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Emile Gallé wrote to Victor Champier that he had created `chalice form blossoms that seek air and daylight' (see Sigrid Barten and Bernd Hakenjos, Keramik, Glas und Möbel des Art Nouveau, Museum Belerive, Zurich, 1980, p.48.) The designs for this series of vases, now in the Musée D'Orsay, are dated 1897 and the pieces were put into production in 1898.  It was in this year that Gallé patented the term, marqueterie de verre.

A smaller example without applications to the foot was sold, Sotheby's, Casino dell'Aurora Pallavicini, Rome, 18th May 2004, lot 553.