HIGHLIGHT

Émile Gallé is renowned not only for his glassworks but also for his numerous masterpieces in faience, a type of soft-paste glazed pottery. Faience is a ceramic ware coated with tin glaze over a delicate, pale yellow clay body. Gallé’s father, Charles Gallé, was involved in both glass and ceramic production, which naturally led Émile to explore ceramics as well. He presented innovative works at major exhibitions, including the 1878 Paris Exposition, the 1884 Paris Decorative Arts Exhibition, and the 1889 Paris Exposition. Through continuous refinement of clay bodies and glazes, Gallé created a distinctive range of decorated ceramics that garnered high acclaim.

This particular work is a pair of candlesticks featuring a traditional Lorraine lion motif, finished in blue underglaze. A piece of the same design was exhibited at the 1884 Central Union of Decorative Arts Exhibition, making it one of the most representative examples of Gallé’s ceramic works.