Lalique: The Art of Glass

No name is more synonymous with Art Deco than René Lalique, the legendary designer who elevated glass to an artistic, decorative medium. Originally known for his jewellery, Lalique turned to glass making at the beginning of the 20^th century, designing countless items such as vases, tableware and sculpture. These pieces marry natural motifs such as animals, flowers and classical bodies with stylised geometric forms.

Arguably one of his most famous designs is the ‘Bacchantes’ vase created in 1927, which depicts a ring of Bacchantes (female followers of Bacchus) swirling around the vase in a rhythmic dance of frosted and clear glass. This design is coveted by collectors, and we are thrilled to be offering an example of it as Lot 192.

Erté: Drama in Design

Art Deco managed to permeate fashion and costume design and no designer embodies this better than Romain de Tirtoff - better known as Erté. His costumes and illustrations, epitomise the glamour and theatricality of the 1920s and 1930s, with elongated figures and exotic motifs.

We have a wide range of drawings by Erté in this upcoming sale (Lots 228-243) all of which capture his essence of drama, poise and theatre. Art Deco was not just restricted to architecture and interiors, and it is works from Erté that showcase this.

Furniture: Exotic Woods and Bold Forms

Furniture design of the period embraced Art Deco through bold silhouettes, exotic veneers and luxurious finishes. Woods such as Macassar Ebony, Rosewood and Zebrawood were complimented by lacquer, ivory or metal inlays. Furniture was both functional and striking, by combining great craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. An example from our upcoming sale is Lot 105, the prominent Calamander sideboard by French designer Jules Perrenoud which showcases this ethos.

Even a century later, Art Deco philosophies grace interior design. Clean geometry, luxurious surfaces and a sense of drama are still influencing contemporary designers. The relevance of this style can be seen in Lot 109 of the sale which reimagines Deco motifs for the modern space.

The Auction

As we celebrate 100 years since the Paris Expositions, we are happy to present a diverse selection of works in our Modern Design and Decorative Art auction on the 15 October. From Lalique glass, to Erté’s gouache, from furniture in exotic woods to contemporary Deco-inspired cabinets, our sale offers collectors the chance to own a piece of this enduring style.

View page turning catalogue

Auction Details

Auction: 
Wednesday 15 October 2025, 10.30am BST
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Browse the auction
Sign up to email alerts

Viewing:
Viewing in London (highlights):

• Tuesday 30 September: 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 1 October: 10am-4pm
• Thursday 2 October: 10am-4pm

Viewing in Newbury (full sale):

• Friday 10 October: 10am-4pm (appointment only)
• Sunday 12 October: 10am-3pm
• Monday 13 October: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 14 October: 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 15 October: 9am-12 noon

Further Information:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | design@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com