René Lalique Sumatran Elephant Sculpture 35cm - Signed Crystal Glass Masterpiece

Large Naturalistic Signed Sculpture of Striding Sumatran Elephant by René Lalique

A magnificent and museum-quality crystal glass sculpture depicting a striding Sumatran elephant, created by the legendary René Lalique (1860-1945), the most celebrated glass artist and jeweler of the Art Deco period. This substantial piece, measuring 35 cm in length and 18.5 cm in height, showcases Lalique's extraordinary ability to capture animal movement, anatomical accuracy, and naturalistic detail in crystal glass. Executed in colorless crystal with satin and polished finishes, and signed 'Lalique R France' on the foot, this sculpture represents French Art Deco glass art at its absolute pinnacle.

René Lalique - Master of Art Deco Glass

René Lalique (1860-1945) stands as one of the most important figures in 20th-century decorative arts. Beginning his career as a revolutionary Art Nouveau jeweler, Lalique transitioned to glassmaking around 1910 and created an entirely new aesthetic vocabulary for the Art Deco period. His glass sculptures, vases, perfume bottles, and architectural elements combined technical innovation, artistic vision, and commercial success in unprecedented ways. Lalique's work is represented in every major decorative arts museum worldwide, and his pieces command premium prices at international auctions, with major sculptures achieving six-figure sums.

The Sumatran Elephant - Subject and Symbolism

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), the smallest subspecies of Asian elephant, provided Lalique with perfect subject matter for his naturalistic approach to animal sculpture. Elephants held symbolic significance in Art Deco aesthetics - representing strength, wisdom, exoticism, and the fascination with distant lands that characterized the period. Lalique's choice to depict the elephant in mid-stride, rather than static pose, demonstrates his commitment to capturing life and movement in glass. The naturalistic rendering shows careful study of elephant anatomy, musculature, and characteristic features.

Impressive Dimensions and Presence

At 35 cm length and 18.5 cm height (approximately 13.8" x 7.3"), this sculpture offers substantial size and commanding presence. Large-format Lalique animal sculptures are particularly rare and desirable, as they showcase the artist's technical capabilities and artistic vision at their fullest expression. The substantial dimensions allow for impressive detail while creating sculptural presence that commands attention in any setting. Pieces of this scale represent Lalique's most ambitious work and command premium prices in the collector market.

Crystal Glass - Material Excellence

Executed in colorless crystal glass, this sculpture demonstrates Lalique's mastery of this demanding material. Crystal glass, with its exceptional clarity, brilliance, and light-refracting properties, requires complete technical control to work successfully. The colorless crystal allows the form itself to be the primary focus, with light playing across surfaces to reveal contours, textures, and details. Lalique's choice of crystal for this piece emphasizes the elephant's monumentality and presence while showcasing the material's inherent beauty.

Satin and Polished Finishes - Surface Sophistication

The sculpture features both satin (frosted) and polished surfaces, creating sophisticated interplay of textures and light effects. The satin finish, achieved through acid etching or sandblasting, creates soft, matte surfaces that diffuse light and provide tactile interest. Polished areas create brilliant highlights and sharp reflections. This combination of finishes - characteristic of Lalique's finest work - adds visual complexity and demonstrates complete mastery of glass surface treatments. The contrast between satin and polished areas enhances the sculpture's three-dimensional modeling and creates constantly changing visual effects as lighting and viewing angles change.

Signed 'Lalique R France' - Authentication

The sculpture bears Lalique's signature 'Lalique R France' engraved on the foot, confirming its authenticity and provenance. This signature format, used during René Lalique's lifetime and continuing after his death in 1945, provides clear authentication. The 'R' indicates René Lalique, distinguishing pieces from his era from later production. Signed Lalique pieces command significant premiums over unsigned examples, and the signature's presence is essential for serious collectors and investment purposes.

Investment Value and Market Position

Large-format signed Lalique animal sculptures represent exceptional investment opportunities. René Lalique's market has shown consistent strength for decades, with major pieces regularly achieving six-figure prices at international auctions. This elephant sculpture's combination of substantial size, naturalistic subject, signed authentication, excellent condition, and museum-quality execution positions it as a significant acquisition. As Lalique pieces become scarcer and appreciation for Art Deco glass grows, values continue to appreciate.

This represents an exceptional acquisition opportunity for serious collectors of René Lalique and museum-quality Art Deco glass. Available for viewing by appointment at Artemisia Fine Arts & Antiques Ltd, Malta's premier gallery for French decorative arts. We provide comprehensive authentication documentation, condition reports, provenance research, insurance valuation, and expert consultation. International shipping arranged with specialized glass sculpture handlers and full insurance coverage. Serious inquiries from qualified collectors and institutions welcome.