About this work
Emile Gallé was the preeminent French Art Nouveau glass artist. His dual interests in botany and chemistry found expression in his poetic glassworks that combined supremely innovative technical accomplishment with a profound sensitivity to the plants, birds and insects of his native Lorraine countryside. In keeping with the interest of artists in the new century, this vase is ornamented with the celebratory inscription ‘Bonheur / Bon an / Bon Siécle [sic]’ – ‘Happiness / Good year / Good century’.