Lalique 2024 UK Web

MAGAZINE

TIMELESS SINCE 1888

ISSUE 2024

The warmth of a family dinner with a family you’ve just met – we know the feeling.

WELCOME TO WORLD CLASS

CONTENTS

9

Editorial

NEWS 11

At a glance

ART & DESIGN 20

Eight Decades by James Turrell, an ode to dreams

31

Ares Wami Lalique Spyder

36

30, rue de Prony Lalique's new address in Paris

Eight Decades by James Turrell

LIFESTYLE 44

New Artists’Bar at The Dorchester in London

49

Mario Botta’s Universo table at Villa René Lalique

SPIRITS 56

The Glenturret Still Life Spring

DECORATIVE OBJECTS 60

Empreinte Animale II Tapping into primal instincts

Ares Wami Lalique Spyder

JEWELLERY 70

Empreinte Animale II Wild links

PERFUMES 74

Encre Indigo If blue were a scent

Wherever and whenever you take a LINDOR moment, it just seems to make life feel so much more sublime. When you unwrap LINDOR and break its delicate chocolate shell, the irresistibly smooth filling starts to melt, gently carrying you away in a moment of bliss. LINDOR, created by the Lindt Master Chocolatiers. Passion and Love for chocolate since 1845.

HERITAGE 78

Suzanne Lalique rediscovered

30, rue de Prony

Cover : Inside Lalique’s new international headquarters, decorated by the Lalique International Design Studio © Fabrice van Hove

EDITORIAL

A n artist well ahead of his time when he founded our company in 1888, René Lalique’s revolutionary creativity took him from jewellery to decorative objects and interior design. Our new international headquarters at 30, rue de Prony bears the stamp of his innovative versatility. The Belle Époque was in full swing and this Parisian townhouse just steps from the Parc Monceau was home to Jacques Rouché. A patron of the arts and Director of the Paris Opera, he chose leading artists of his time to decorate this stylish abode. Parisian luminaries from Pablo Picasso to Jean Cocteau, Colette and Maurice Ravel thus rubbed shoulders under René Lalique’s Art Nouveau chandelier, ornamented with dragonflies and scarabs. We are delighted to have given 30, rue de Prony’s heritage a fresh lease of life, thanks to the brilliant work of the Lalique Interior Design Studio. This year, we also have the honour of welcoming a magnificent gift from James Turrell: the Eight Decades decanter, a genuine work of art conceived by this prodigious American artist to cradle an exceptional single malt whisky, aged in oak casks at the Highlands distillery The Glenturret established in 1763. The two are brought together at the Wingen-sur Moder factory in Alsace, where our artisans have crafted extraordinary pieces for over a century. After designing the Range Rider and Purple Sage perfume bottles in 2022, Turrell, who turned eighty in 2023, chose Lalique to celebrate his eight decades. Filtered through its pyramidal edges and rounded contours, this crystal decanter’s colours are entirely captivating. Another recent and momentous event is the release of a unique roadster. The Ares Wami Lalique Spyder, a jewel imbued with the retro charm of 1950s and 1960s racers, is Lalique’s very first collaboration with the luxury coachbuilder Ares Modena. Our artisans have handcrafted thirteen crystal elements, fitted to the car’s exterior and interior, in a direct line of descent from René Lalique, who had designed iconic radiator cap mascots for luxury automobiles. But the car also captures a futuristic feel. Conceived, developed and manufactured in Italy’s Motor Valley and seamlessly combining artisanal heritage and cutting-edge technology, the Ares Wami Lalique Spyder, with its handcrafted carbon fibre bodywork, perpetuates the spirit of Lalique. Among the many surprises to come, Lalique and rap icon Curtis“50 Cent” Jackson, are working on an exciting project to be unveiled next year. 2024 promises to be spectacular!

A LEGENDARY CHARACTER

© Erwin Windmüller

Silvio Denz Chairman and CEO Lalique

A HUMIDOR INSPIRED BY THE MAN OF MANY FACETS

DELVE INTO THE RACONTEUR’S TALE

available in two designs and sizes

9

#timebeautifullyfilled

NEWS

A NEW LALIQUE BOUTIQUE AT CHÂTEAU HOCHBERG

Nestled in the gardens of the Château Hochberg, just steps from the four-star hotel of the same name and its restaurant with a menu inspired by the neo-bistro movement, a new Lalique boutique opened its doors on 8 October 2023. Bridging luxury and modernity with a visually appealing design aptly reflecting the House’s values and aesthetics, it is an ideal setting to present the world of Lalique. The new 120-square-metre space features a large number of end of series Lalique items, but also off-catalogue pieces, must-haves from current collections and a selection of finds at exceptional prices, immersing visitors in Lalique’s rich universe of decorative objects, glassware, jewellery, fragrances and candles. In addition, it offers a wide variety of wines and spirits from the group’s estates. The new store’s design is the work of renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta, who also designed the Pavillon Hochberg in the same style, as well as Villa René Lalique’s restaurant and wine cellar. For its construction, the architect chose Vosges red sandstone, a noble local material, integrating the building beautifully with its natural surroundings. The contemporary floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the interior spaces in light, showcasing the pieces on display.

©Studio Adeline Wagner

Alongside the five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel Villa René Lalique with its two-star Michelin restaurant and the four-star hotel Château Hochberg with its restaurant serving neo-bistro fare, this new store has now joined Lalique’s lineup of landmark destinations welcoming visitors to Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace.

Lalique boutique at Château Hochberg 2, rue du Château Teutsch 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder

©Sébastien Buzov

11

NEWS

“Being named Meilleur Ouvrier de France is a dream come true,” says Schilling, “following in the footsteps of my predecessors from whom I have learned so much. I have had the great fortune to enjoy the eternal confidence and support of my family, our patrons, Silvio Denz and the fantastic team behind the Hotel Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.” It is therefore in the Cuisine-Gastronomy category that Lalique Group has obtained its ninth MOF distinction. In fact, seven artisans at the Lalique factory have already been named Meilleurs Ouvriers de France and the eighth title holder is the sommelier Romain Iltis at Villa René Lalique. A true celebration of artisanal excellence!

CHEF JÉRÔME SCHILLING OF THE RESTAURANT LALIQUE AT CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY IS NAMED MEILLEUR OUVRIER DE FRANCE

After earning a second Michelin star in March 2022 for the Restaurant LALIQUE in the Sauternais wine-growing region, only three years after the first, Jérôme Schilling has continued his meteoric rise through the ranks of French gastronomy by receiving the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) at a ceremony held in June 2023 at the Sorbonne in Paris. Describing himself as a “culinary artist of the vine”, Schilling nurtures his creativity by exploring Sauternes in all its dimensions and all its aspects: the forms and colours taken by the vines and the region’s landscapes, grape maceration and fermentation, vine shoots, grape seeds, marcs and musts, verjuice, etc. Like a winemaker choosing the best varietals, he composes his menu and each of his dishes with an eye to the specific characteristics and terroir of the Sauternes and Barsac appellations.

©Michaël Boudot ©Michaël Boudot

ACQUISITION OF A MAJORITY STAKE IN THE CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY WINE ESTATE Located in the Sauternes wine district of Bordeaux, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, covers 47 hectares, including 30 hectares under vine. In November 2023, Lalique Group acquired a 75% stake in the Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey wine estate to further strengthen synergies with its crystal and gastronomy businesses.

©Michaël Boudot ©Jean-Marc Lhomer

© Julie Rey

©Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

12

13

NEWS

After winning Best Lighting Feature 2023 at the International Design & Architecture Awards, Lalique won the 2023 Product Design Award in the Lighting category at the International Design Awards organized by the Society of British & International Interior Design on 3 November 2023 at The Landmark London. Lalique’s Champs-Élysées lianes light installation was selected by a distinguished panel of designers and industry luminaries from among more than thirteen finalists in the Lighting category as “the most impressive and innovative lighting project”. LALIQUE’S CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES LIANES LIGHT INSTALLATION HONOURED BY THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH & INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN

The House was awarded this accolade for design excellence at the ceremony, in front of more than 800 members of the international design community. Using the iconic pattern of the Champs-Élysées leaf, the Lalique Interior Design Studio offers a new bespoke light installation which brings a gentle and delicate light to any area. Each Champs-Élysées leaf is individually lit at the centre, and their placement and angle can vary depending on the environment: as a vine-like chain of crystal cascading down from the ceiling, or as dense foliage across the length of a table. Thanks to the lianes concept, the crystal elements can be spread out, or concentrated into small clouds, offering an ever-adapting product for any chosen space or setting.

SMALL-BATCH, HANDCRAFTED SCOTTISH GIN

A VINE-LIKE CHAIN OF CRYSTAL CASCADING DOWN FROM THE CEILING, OR A DENSE FOLIAGE SPREADING ACROSS THE LENGTH OF A TABLE.

Embark on a journey of exceptional taste and time-honored tradition with the latest spirit from Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery, The Glenturret. Crafted with unwavering dedication and a legacy spanning generations, we proudly present our new gin, a true testament to Scotland’s rich gin-distilling heritage. Learn more by visiting theaberturretgin.com

15

PLEASE ENJOY THE ABERTURRET GIN RESPONSIBLY

NEWS

M E TH T ESSENCE

RENÉ LALIQUE, THE INVENTOR OF MODERN JEWELLERY, FROM 1 MAY TO 3 NOVEMBER 2024

Papillons de nuit bodice ornament © Studio Y. Langlois/ musée Lalique - private collection

The story continues

Before becoming the greatest Art Deco glassmaker, René Lalique (1860–1945) was a leading exponent of Art Nouveau. At the time,

the influential glass artist Émile Gallé named him “the inventor of modern jewellery” due to Lalique’s gift for incorporating the unexpected in his designs, through his sources of inspiration and the materials he used.

ON VIEW AT THE MUSÉE LALIQUE, THE EXHIBITION OFFERS A SURVEY OF DESIGNS BY LALIQUE, THROUGH THE PRISM OF THE MATERIALS HE EMPLOYED AND HIS SOURCES OF INSPIRATION.

Trained as a jeweller, Lalique’s early work consisted of bright and stunning diamond-studded pieces. But his free and independent spirit made him restless. “I worked tirelessly”, he recalled later, “drawing, experimenting, testing new techniques, preparing models and studies, day in and day out, always driven by the desire to achieve something new, to create something never seen before.” He readily combined gold and precious gemstones with materials seldom used and little appreciated until then, such as horn, ivory, semi-precious gemstones, enamel and of course glass. In his view, it is “always better to strive for beauty than to merely flaunt luxury, because mind takes precedence over matter.” For one admirer, his art is above all “an art of imagination, and even, we might say, an art of sentiment and poetry.” 1 As a close observer of nature from a young age, René Lalique widely explored the worlds of flora and fauna in his designs. He also often celebrated the female form, whether as allegory, winged figure or water deity. Curious and always open to new ideas, he nurtured his imagination through his readings, museum visits and exchanges with his artist friends. As another commentator points out, “Neither the discoveries of Egyptian, Greek or Etruscan archaeological sites, nor medieval or Renaissance treasures, nor the distinctive art of Byzantium, the Caucasus, the Far East, or even the Americas, escaped his notice.” 2

Musée Lalique 40, rue du Hochberg 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace

Drawings for belt buckles Dynastes Hercules (c. 1900-1902) and Visage de femme (c. 1897-1900) © Lalique SA

M IS N L UTIER 1795, SYM ISE NEW N TU L ING EDIENTS B ND, C MBINES THE C T THE ST WITH THE INN V TI N THE UTU E.

1 Léonce Bénédite (1859–1925), curator of the Musée du Luxembourg. 2 Roger Marx (1859–1913), art critic.

17

NEWS

INSCRIPTION OF GLASSMAKING TECHNIQUES ON UNESCO’S REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY

On 7 December 2023, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage met in Kasane (Botswana) and decided to add glassmaking techniques to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For over a century, Lalique has been synonymous with unrivalled expertise, which has already been officially recognized in France through the award of the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label. This label, presented by the French government, distinguishes French companies that demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and exceptional industrial know-how combining tradition and innovation. The inscription of glassmaking techniques on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is the result of many years of commitment by Lalique alongside its glassmaking and crystal industry peers, with the aim of promoting the beauty, diversity and creativity of French glassmaking among the general public.

Lalique factory FROM TOP TO BOTTOM Decoration workshop Transformation of molten crystal Cold-glass workshop ©Séquences Studio

www.robertet.com

19

ART & DESIGN

EIGHT DECADES BY JAMES TURRELL, AN ODE TO DREAMS

We are honoured to have collaborated once again with the artist James Turrell, who has inspired the Lalique crystal works to reach new heights. A bold and aesthetically assertive departure from traditional forms, the Eight Decades decanter cradles an exceptional single malt from the famed distillery The Glenturret. It celebrates generations of exquisite craftsmanship, but also a milestone in the life of the artist, who has just turned eighty.

BY ISABELLE BUNISSET

R eleased as an ultra-exclusive, limited edition, this decanter offers a poetic tribute to the meticulous expertise of both Lalique’s master glassmakers (since 1888) and The Glenturret’s master whisky makers (since 1763). Here, modernity embraces centuries of rich traditions, linking three destinies tied to three evocative names – James Turrell, Lalique and The Glenturret. Their very mention has a magical effect. Turrell’s knack for taking on challenges – and bringing dreams to life – is well known. An irreverent visionary, he breaks down rigid conventions and mindsets. His work dazzles and astounds, encouraging us to question our assumptions. Both outside and ahead of his time, Turrell’s creations always feature more than a touch of the unexpected. For him, every project is a new beginning, and the intriguing and fascinating Eight Decades decanter is a perfect illustration of this approach, suggesting an openness to mystery. As before, Turrell has thrust Lalique into modernity while offering a journey into his own universe. The magic of this unique piece emerges upon examination. Its impeccable, pared-down silhouette and its harmony of contrasts create a brilliant exaltation of beauty and balance: a self-aware and intense presence, a melding of the masculine and the feminine. The spare geometry of the rectangular base, with its tapered straight lines, thus anchors the decanter’s callipygian luxuriance and its sensual, rounded shoulders, whereas these flowing curves offer a vibrant riposte to the piece’s vertical, horizontal and diagonal axes. Exacting, elegant and pure, the overall effect is that of an aesthetic distillation, a moving reinterpretation of the Range Rider and Purple Sage perfume bottles, also conceived by Turrell and produced by Lalique.

© Karine Faby/James Turrell & Lalique & The Glenturret

THE SPARE GEOMETRY OF THE RECTANGULAR BASE, WITH ITS TAPERED STRAIGHT LINES, ANCHORS THE DECANTER’S CALLIPYGIAN LUXURIANCE AND ITS SENSUAL, ROUNDED SHOULDERS.

© Maxime Tétard - Les Graphiquants/James Turrell & Lalique & The Glenturret

20

21

ART & DESIGN

Turrell has put so much of himself into this piece that its emotional and symbolic depth is conveyed through its every detail. The crystal stopper’s pyramidal shape brings to mind Egypt and its monuments – a source of fascination for the artist – in which light served ceremonial purposes. Similarly, the aura of dignity enveloping the Eight Decades decanter is not unlike that of Egyptian statues. The exceptional amber liquid it contains also recalls the artist’s father, a connoisseur of fine whisky and aged cigars. For Turrell, the invisible is always on a par with the visible, and memories flow through as if by invitation. Like a time capsule, this extraordinary decanter is certain to stand as one of the finest examples of fertile collaboration between an artist, artisans and the universe of spirits. Requiring rare technical prowess, the production of the Eight Decades decanter involved many discussions between Turrell and Marc Larminaux, Lalique’s Artistic and Creative Director. A piece of breathtaking virtuosity

THE PIECE IS POLISHED AND SANDED DURING THE COLD-GLASS PROCESS, THE NECK AND STOPPER ARE WORKED ON FURTHER SO THAT EACH STOPPER FITS ITS DECANTER.

A SERIES OF CAREFUL STEPS WERE FOLLOWED, INCLUDING HOT-MELT BONDING, AN AGE-OLD TECHNIQUE REINVENTED FOR THE PROJECT BY LALIQUE’S MASTER GLASSMAKERS.

Hours of design work were necessary to realize the artist’s vision, from drawings and mould manufacturing to hot-glass trials and prototypes, in a series of careful steps, including hot-melt bonding, an age-old technique reinvented for the project by Lalique’s master glassmakers. “First the base is mould blown, then placed in a second mould so that the neck can be injected with violet crystal”, explains Larminaux. “The stopper is manufactured separately in blue crystal. Lastly, the piece is polished and sanded during the cold-glass process, and the neck and stopper are worked on further so that each stopper fits its decanter.” Each of these methods raised additional challenges, a wellspring of creative stimuli for Lalique’s designers, who needed to find solutions while preserving time-honoured expertise. “Projects like these are an opportunity for us to perpetuate traditional techniques, but also to pass down skills to new generations of glassmakers”, says the Artistic Director.

An Eight Decades decanter stopper in the hot-glass workshop © Karine Faby/James Turrell & Lalique & The Glenturret

Hot-glass workshop at the Lalique factory © Karine Faby/James Turrell & Lalique & The Glenturret

22

23

ART & DESIGN

The key challenge was to achieve a square neck in coloured crystal and a base in clear crystal, with glass uniformly distributed over the piece’s angular shape. “The use of injection (adding hot crystal to hot crystal), and the decanter’s weight and capacity, were constraints faced on a constant basis by the teams, while maintaining the most exacting standards”, he adds. At the Lalique crystal works, mould makers as well as glassmakers are always ready for a challenge, and their enthusiasm is contagious. “For Eight Decades , injection used for the shoulders made the base more fragile. We thus needed to allow for a certain thickness of glass at the shoulders, while ensuring even distribution over the entire parison.” Another crucial requirement was that the crystal be uniformly distributed to obtain a transparency that would strengthen the noble liquor’s amber-hued polychromy. “Creating a decanter and a perfume bottle require similar work. The codes are the same, and focusing our efforts on the beauty and originality of the piece is an excellent way to underscore the rare quality of its contents. With Eight Decades , the analogy is even stronger, as the project drew inspiration from the same geometric and pyramidal shapes used for Range Rider and Purple Sage , coupled with rounded shoulders.” By bringing this unique crystal decanter to life, Lalique’s highly skilled artisans have once again found an ideal vehicle for their extraordinary talents.

Subtleties and secrets of an exceptional single malt The meeting of art and the universe of spirits often involves a delicate alchemy. For this new, ultra-exclusive, limited edition, it was about bringing The Glenturret’s heritage elixirs together to create an unprecedented and sophisticated single malt able to reflect the distillery’s distinctive expertise and the pre-eminence of its terroir. The result had to do with more than the passing down of skills and knowledge: it was a multifaceted story of origins. Meticulously selected by Bob Dalgarno, The Glenturret’s Whisky Maker for more than 17 years, these whiskies are drawn from eight casks, each of which has been aged for a decade on the estate nestled in the beautiful Perthshire countryside. The eight eaux-de-vie – a symbolic nod to the decades lived by James Turrell, who celebrated his eightieth birthday in 2023 – join in a magnificent union for this journey through time paying tribute to generations of excellence. Truly serving as bridges between periods, premium whiskies ennoble the offerings of the past. With the passage of time, the elixirs unleash their full potential to reach pinnacles. The years coalesce to form a liquid eternity, a nectar that rhymes and resonates with Lalique’s own identity and expertise.

© The Glenturret

A splendid and one-of-a-kind single malt From the outset, the poetic patterns created by the legs running down the sides of the glass and the lascivious dance of the precious nectar’s shimmering amber tones captivate the eye. A cornucopia of aromas enchants the nose, from dark dried fruit, chocolate-coated candied orange peel and gingerbread to red berries, fresh apples and subtle oak. And on the palate, gently woody spices, rich fruit cake laced with treacle and honeycomb balanced with burnished oak lead to a long and mellow finish. Aged in eight carefully selected casks, Eight Decades begins its maturation in European oak casks chosen for their deep character and the wisdom of their years, before continuing the process in American oak casks to add bright shards of light and youthful energy. The audacious choice of tawny port casks to complete the maturation results in even greater depth and a rich, iridescent colour reminiscent of an exceptional Bordeaux wine.

© The Glenturret © Marc Millar/The Glenturret

THIS PAGE An Eight Decades decanter in the cold-glass workshop FACING PAGE Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno The Glenturret distillery

“Nothing less than a liquid work of art presented in an exquisite crystal decanter”, concludes Dalgarno.

© Karine Faby/James Turrell & Lalique & The Glenturret

24

25

ART & DESIGN

THE CONFIDENCES OF JAMES TURRELL

IS THIS PIECE DESIGNED TO RESONATE WITH THE TWO PERFUME BOTTLES, RANGE RIDER AND PURPLE SAGE ? Yes, I did want it to have the same sensibility as the perfume bottles. COULD IT BE DESCRIBED AS A FUSION, A MOVING OSMOSIS BETWEEN THE FEMININE (SENSUAL ROUNDED SHOULDERS, CALLIPYGIAN LUXURIANCE) AND THE MASCULINE (SPARE GEOMETRY, TAPERED STRAIGHT LINES, RECTANGULAR BASE)? It is in fact a melding of two universes where the strength and weight at the bottom of the decanter move to the anda (meaning egg or womb) shape of the shoulders. WITH THIS EXCLUSIVE DECANTER, COULD WE SAY THAT THE VISIBLE IS ON A PAR WITH THE INVISIBLE? MIGHT IT BE A TRIBUTE TO EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS OR TO THE ARCHITECTURE OF BUDDHIST STUPAS? These archetypal forms are cross-cultural with Egyptian forms. They move something deep within me. HOW DID YOU IMAGINE THE TREATMENT OF LIGHT IN THIS CRYSTAL CRADLE? Crystal holds light like water. Water is spirit and crystal is liquid; that is, glass is actually liquid masquerading in our lifetime as a solid. Water and crystal become this holder of light and spirit. THE PERFUME BOTTLES AND THE LIGHT PANELS ARE NOW PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC. WHAT EMOTIONS DOES THIS STIR UP FOR YOU? DID YOU TALK TO SILVIO DENZ ABOUT THEM? There was a lot of talk with Silvio. Many refer to Silvio as an extremely talented “nose” with a gift for all sorts of scents – whether in perfumes, wines, cuisine or liquors. His passion is legendary.

WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF THIS DECANTER?

I love single malt whisky. There’s also the idea of connecting the decanter with my previous work in crystal for Lalique and with Silvio. WHAT ROLE DID YOU PLAY IN THE CREATION OF THE WHISKY ITSELF? I described the whisky my father enjoyed as inspiration for the team at The Glenturret. My father’s definition of civilization was a fine whisky and a good cigar. ARE YOU A WHISKY LOVER YOURSELF? FOR YOU, WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT SINGLE MALTS? They distinctively express their terroir and the water. I find that many people like blended whiskies, but I’m most fond of the single malts. HAVE YOU REVEALED CERTAIN ASPECTS OF YOUR HERITAGE THROUGH THIS DECANTER, PERHAPS RELATING TO YOUR FATHER, A WHISKY LOVER? The relationship is more of an intellectual one, as opposed to the awakening of sensory memories. My family roots are in Northumberland, where the Quakers were involved with the lead mines, the railroads and the canals. It’s the area that had been home to the notorious Border Reivers, who lived below Hadrian’s Wall but were related to the people north of it. Escaping persecution as Quakers, my ancestors crossed the sea westward to Ireland, settling at William Penn’s estate in Youghal, between Waterford and Cork. But most Quakers escaped eastward to Amsterdam, where they found refuge in an area at the heart of the city that had been a haven for Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition during the time of Queen Isabella. Both the Irish and the Dutch were welcoming to foreigners escaping persecution in their home countries.

COULD THERE BE ANOTHER CHAPTER TO THE COLLABORATION WITH LALIQUE? One can only hope!

© James Turrell/Michel F. Sarda

26

27

ART & DESIGN

ON 9 DECEMBER 2023, AS PART OF SOTHEBY’S WHISKY & WHISKEY AUCTION, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN NEW YORK, THE ARTIST’S PROOF OF THE EIGHT DECADES DECANTER WAS SOLD, SETTING A NEW AUCTION RECORD OF $200,000.

The buyer will also enjoy an exclusive visit to Lalique’s factory in Alsace and The Glenturret’s distillery in Crieff, culminating in a dining experience at the Michelin-starred The Glenturret Lalique restaurant.

Following the auction, John Laurie, Managing Director at The Glenturret, commented: “What a way to end the year! When we first launched Eight Decades in May, we knew it was a very special decanter – working with James Turrell was truly an

honour. We feel the decanter blurs the lines between art and whisky, and the auction result is testament to that. We’re particularly happy with the result as all proceeds are going to charity.”

The artist’s proof of the Eight Decades decanter (proof #008) was offered as part of Sotheby’s Whisky & Whiskey auction held in New York on 9 December 2023. All proceeds

from the sale of the decanter will be donated to the Roden Crater Foundation.

The unique design of the decanter, featuring a pared-down silhouette crowned by a deep blue pyramidal crystal stopper drawing inspiration from Ancient Egypt, resonated with whisky collectors and art enthusiasts alike during the auction. In addition to proof #008 of the decanter, filled with a whisky specially crafted by The Glenturret’s Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno, the auction lot included three sketches by James Turrell from the decanter’s design phase, hand signed by the artist.

28

29

ARES WAMI LALIQUE SPYDER

Limited to just twelve cars, the Ares Wami Lalique Spyder combines past and present to create a new vision of the dolce vita .

BY CHARLIE THOMAS

31

ART & DESIGN

W alking along the narrow, cobblestone lanes of Castelvetro di Modena, it feels as though you have stepped back in time. The town’s medieval streets have seen plenty over the centuries, first in the hands of the Rangoni family from 1330, and later under French rule in the late 18th century before the Este dynasty and the elite of Modena regained control in 1815. Today, Castelvetro is peaceful and slow paced, with the soft autumn sun illuminating the pockets of life behind the open windows lining the streets. But not everything is what it seems in Piazza della Dama, the commune’s main square. Parked on its black-and-white checkerboard paving stones is the Ares Wami Lalique Spyder.

Although it is the first time that crystal has been applied to a rolling chassis, this is not Lalique’s first automotive rodeo. René Lalique, who founded the company in the late 19th century, worked with some of the biggest names in luxury coachbuilding. Starting in 1925, he created twenty-seven unique crystal mascots for the likes of Delage, Bentley and Rolls Royce. These bespoke designs adorned the bonnets of some of the early 20th century’s greatest cars, and confidently propelled Lalique into the global spotlight, with the brand becoming as well known for its beautiful glassware as its intricate motifs.

© Karine Faby

Lalique’s connection to motor sport goes back further than that, however, as René Lalique also designed the solid bronze plaque awarded to the winner of the Targa Florio in 1906. It’s this unrivalled heritage that has inspired the crystal work applied to the Ares Wami Lalique Spyder.

It too appears to offer a glimpse into the past. It has a long, sweeping bonnet with a broad grille reminiscent of a 1950s Maserati A6GCS Frua. Its elegant side profile curves around its body, combining with the side vents to reference the legendary Ferrari 250 GT California. It also has refined wire wheels and small chrome mirrors, clearly designed by someone with an astute eye for detail. But you only really start to appreciate that detail when you get up close. A few things stand out, namely the thirteen bespoke Lalique crystal pieces found throughout its exterior and interior.

A FEW THINGS STAND OUT, NAMELY THE THIRTEEN BESPOKE LALIQUE CRYSTAL PIECES FOUND THROUGHOUT ITS EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR.

© Karine Faby

Each of these elements adorning the car has been handcrafted in Lalique’s Alsace factory, drawing on more than a century of expertise. Although placed in prominent locations, they have been executed in a way that is incredibly understated. There’s the front bonnet mascot, Masque de Femme , whose Art Deco face has been hand polished to achieve the signature Lalique frosted effect. Then, there are the centre caps found on the wire wheels, coloured to complement the car’s bodywork, as well as the large ornate figures subtly placed behind the headrests. This is the first time that Lalique has collaborated with a coachbuilder on a production car. While the project raised a few challenges, each piece has been manufactured in the same way Lalique has always crafted its designs. “To produce crystal elements of such exceptional quality, the process must be carried out in several stages”, says Marc Larminaux, Lalique’s Artistic and Creative Director. “From making the moulds to the hot glass process – involving temperatures of up to 1400°C – to sculpting and polishing the pieces to get the perfect fit and finish inside the cabin.”

32

33

ART & DESIGN

And what about those journeys? Behind the wheel of the Spyder in the sunny hills of Modena, the car is right at home. Designed to channel the romantic spirit of the dolce vita , its vintage look combines with contemporary underpinnings, which you feel through the winding corners of this part of Italy. Indeed, the bodywork may look like hand-beaten panels of aluminium, but it is actually carbon fibre. And underneath that long bonnet lies a 3.0-litre, naturally aspirated BMW straight six engine, chosen to replicate the effortless power delivery of the mid-century roadsters from which it draws inspiration, while offering the reliability of a brand-new vehicle. Limited to a total of just twelve cars, in four different colours, it is an incredibly rare machine that combines throwback design with a thoroughly modern appeal. And that is true whether you are sitting in the driver’s seat or admiring the Spyder’s curves and crystal elements from afar.

“This very special collaboration perpetuates the work of René Lalique”, says Silvio Denz, Lalique’s chairman and CEO. “The exceptional car mascots he created were some of his best-known pieces in the Roaring Twenties.” Just like the car itself, each crystal element has a timeless look, an ensemble that works perfectly in the context of today. “The Masque de Femme and Coutard pieces are inspired by motifs created by René Lalique in 1935 to adorn a fountain”, says Marc Larminaux. “The motifs are classic and avant-garde at the same time and integrate perfectly with the Wami Spyder. The Hirondelles (swallow) motif was used widely in the work of René Lalique and is a symbol of good luck that will accompany the Wami Spyder’s drivers on their journeys. The swallow also symbolizes rebirth and renewal, thus representing Lalique’s ever evolving modernity.”

34

ART & DESIGN

30, RUE DE PRONY LALIQUE’S NEW ADDRESS IN PARIS

During the autumn of 2023, Lalique inaugurated its new international headquarters in Paris. At the turn of the 20th century, the most significant figures of the Parisian art world came here for dinner parties or private concerts when it was the home of Jacques Rouché, Director of the Paris Opera.

An enlightened connoisseur, Rouché had selected leading Art Nouveau and Art Deco designers, among them a certain René Lalique, to create his townhouse’s interiors. Its brilliance now recaptured and brought to light a new through the work of the Lalique Interior Design Studio, this heritage jewel represents a real return to the roots for the company.

BY MALIKA BAUWENS PHOTOS BY FABRICE VAN HOVE

36

37

ART & DESIGN

THE LALIQUE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO HAS CREATED A CRYSTAL PANEL, ORNAMENTED WITH THE HOUSE’S ICONIC MERLES & RAISINS MOTIF, IMMEDIATELY IMMERSING ANY VISITOR STEPPING INTO 30, RUE DE PRONY IN LALIQUE’S ART OF LIVING.

Make way for Art Nouveau and Art Deco! The Paris Opera’s Director entrusted the interior and exterior restoration work to the architects Fournier de Saint-Maur and H. A. Barberis. The sculptor William Lemitt lined the space under the eaves with a frieze of pine needles and cones against a background of hortensias, oak leaves, laurel and bindweed that has lost none of its appeal. And the up-and-coming wrought-iron artist Edgar Brandt sent vines of spindly leaves running up the doors and along the window frames. Some of the period’s most celebrated artists brought their own touches to the ensemble: Maurice Denis painted panels and planned out stained-glass windows, while Georges Rouault, Maurice Dufrêne and many others made vital contributions (today lost) to the residence. Its star feature is the music room boasting a seven-metre ceiling, where aristocrats and bankers enjoyed

THE RADIANT STORY OF THIS OCTAGONAL PAVILION, TAILORED BY JACQUES ROUCHÉ, DATES BACK TO 1876.

B undled up in fur coats and felt hats against the cold on this day in 1917, the ballet dancer Serge Diaghilev, the composer Igor Stravinsky and the pianist Misia Sert, stars of the Russian constellation that lit up Parisian theatres and concert halls from about 1900, encircle Jacques Rouché and his wife Berthe, smiling for a photo in the garden of a Plaine Monceau townhouse. A lively dinner, chronicled by André Gide, also took place at this very place, bringing together the poets Gabriele d’Annunzio, André Suarès and Henri de Régnier. Welcome to the home of Jacques Rouché, Director of the Paris Opera! Lalique’s new headquarters at the heart of the French capital was a temple of art and high society in the first decades of the 20th century. If its walls could talk, 30, rue de Prony would perhaps recount conversations between Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Louis Jouvet, Colette and Maurice Ravel, to name just a few. Lalique’s Paris-based head office employees began working at this beautiful new address, a few steps from the Parc Monceau’s main entrance, in September 2023. Once inside the sunlit vestibule, it is clear that Jacques Rouché’s spirit still lingers, and that the interiors are suffused with the soul

of René Lalique. In the early 1900s, the walls were festooned with flowers and leaves sculpted following designs by René Lalique and covered with sheets of glass, gracing them with “the most delicate light imaginable” at night, in the words of a 1908 observer. More than a century later, in homage to this luminous decoration, the Lalique Interior Design Studio has created a crystal panel, ornamented with the House’s iconic Merles & Raisins motif, immediately immersing any visitor stepping into 30, rue de Prony in Lalique’s art of living. The radiant story of this octagonal pavilion, tailored by Rouché, dates back to 1876, when it was offered as a gift by the Duke of Aumale to his protégée, the actress and courtesan Léonide Leblanc. In 1905, Rouché, who had nurtured a passion for theatre and politics from a young age and became a great patron of the arts, fell for this neo-Louis XIII townhouse at first sight. Seeking out the period’s best artists and designers for its decoration, this modern man, who had become the wealthy owner of L.T. Piver Perfumes upon his marriage to Berthe Piver in 1893, made their new home into a showcase for contemporary style.

recitals organized by Rouché and gathered afterwards in the smoking room decorated with pastels by Georges Desvallières. At Rouché’s request, René Lalique also added his stamp: apart from the vestibule decoration, the master glassmaker occupied a place of honour in the dining room with a chandelier that had been presented at the 1905 Salon, ornamented with a design of dragonflies and large scarab beetles. Two series of Blé sconces, with three to six arms, illuminated Rouché’s magnificent abode, their memory evoked today by the Coutard sconces installed by the Lalique Interior Design Studio. Gilt bronze handles on the doors and windows echoed this same wheat-sheaf motif, only one of which has miraculously stood the test of time.

38

39

ART & DESIGN

TODAY, BARILLET’S BLACK-FRAMED PANEL MEETS IN DIALOGUE WITH THE ART DECO LAURIERS PANELS CREATED BY THE LALIQUE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO, POINTING THE CRYSTALLINE WAY UP THE STAIRS.

THE FINESSE OF THE LAURIERS MOTIF IN CRYSTAL FLOURISHES ON THE MAJESTIC, EXTRA-WHITE GLASS DOORS.

LOUIS BARILLET’S CUBIST STYLE STAINED GLASS WINDOW DEPICTS VARIOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS THAT SEEM TO BE SWAYING IN AN ENSEMBLE.

40

41

ART & DESIGN

PRESENTS

HIRONDELLES

All of this goes to show just how much the forty or so employees at Lalique’s new headquarters must feel at home at 30, rue de Prony. On the first floor, the Lalique Interior Design Studio has set up a showroom with a materials library, also displaying several of its interior design creations. Another magnificently restored room with angel mouldings is used for receptions. In the 1920s, when the Art Nouveau period’s floral motifs and arabesques gave way to geometric patterns, emblematic of the Art Deco period, Rouché immediately adapted his home’s ground-floor decoration to reflect this new spirit. A moving testament to modernity survives in the staircase, where a Cubist-style stained glass window by Louis Barillet, in which various musical instruments seem to be swaying in an ensemble, has pride of place. Today, Barillet’s black-framed panel meets in dialogue with the Art Deco Lauriers panels created by the Lalique Interior Design Studio, pointing the crystalline way up the stairs. The passage is also delineated by a liana, its shafts of light extending over ten metres, and featuring thirteen Champs-Élysées leaves – an iconic Lalique design inspired by the light skimming the trees on “the most beautiful avenue in the world” one fine autumn morning. At 30, rue de Prony, it seems that spring never ends.

© THG PARIS 2023

A MASTERFUL LIGHT INSTALLATION FEATURES CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES LEAVES.

WWW.THG-PARIS.COM

42

LIFESTYLE

LALIQUE CRYSTAL DAZZLES AT THE NEW ARTISTS’ BAR IN LONDON’S FAMED HOTEL THE DORCHESTER The Lalique Interior Design Studio has lent its hand to a new collaboration with the interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon for the decoration of the Artists’ Bar at The Dorchester in London, one of the city’s most iconic hotels. Six years after dreaming up the Signature furniture and lighting collection with Lalique, this time Rochon pairs the nobility of crystal with the glamour of London’s latest pinnacle of refinement.

BY GUILLAUME CHAPALAIN PHOTOS BY VALERIO GERACI

44

45

LIFESTYLE

EXCELLENCE IN BEAUTY PACKAGING

L alique has always had a flair for drawing on its unique expertise to serve the ideas of talented designers who share its passion for excellence as well as its indomitable will to perpetuate the French art of living worldwide. Among these fruitful collaborations, those with Pierre-Yves Rochon come across very naturally, because crystal has been an endless source of inspiration and creativity for this acclaimed French interior designer. It was therefore hardly surprising that he sought out the Lalique Interior Design Studio to conceive the crystal ornamentation to be featured in his sumptuous design for the new bar at The Dorchester in London, part of a sweeping renovation completed in March 2023. When the shimmering Artists’ Bar first comes into view at the far end of the elegant restaurant The Promenade that connects it to the hotel’s lobby, visitors are immediately entranced by the magnificent semi-circular counter standing majestically at the centre of the space. Its impressive marble top rests on a base encrusted with a series of twenty crystal legs, reprising the exquisite plant motif created by Marc Lalique in 1951 for the renowned Cactus table. It took the talents of six dedicated master glassmakers and ten weeks of handwork in the hot-glass workshops of the Alsatian factory to fashion these legs, each weighing an impressive eighteen kilos. The plant-inspired decoration is masterfully accentuated in all its detail by means of vertical lighting, cleverly designed to bring out the curves of the cactus leaves, conveying both vigour and delicacy. Thousands of gold leaf accents, applied in the background over the entire surface of the base, magnify the highly polished lustrous crystal opulence so characteristic of the Lalique style. At the rear of the bar, two impressive vertical arrangements of panels decorated in Lalique’s iconic Coutard pearl pattern serve as the fitting backdrop for each evening’s performance by the hotel’s mixologists, genuine artists in residence. Eighteen reflective panels lining both side walls, lit by a chromed 3.5-metre fixture, offer a constant rejoinder to the visual play of the ceiling mirrors and the resplendence of Liberace’s legendary piano, the tinkling of ivories blending harmoniously with the symphony of cocktail shakers. While the Artists’ Bar is an ode to the most celebrated artists of the British scene whose work adorns the premises, it also pays homage to the exceptional artisans behind its creation who have helped give birth to London’s newest temple of glamour.

AWANTYS GMBH, BERTA-SCHULZ-STR. 8, 51674 WIEHL, GERMANY +49 22 62 72 40 0 | INFO@AWANTYS.COM | AWANTYS.COM

46

MARIO BOTTA’S UNIVERSO TABLE: A MASTER OF GEOMETRIC FORM COLLABORATES ONCE AGAIN WITH LALIQUE’S CRYSTAL ARTISANS

PRESS RELEASE

In 2014, Silvio Denz, already the owner of Château Faugères, Château Péby Faugères (Saint-Emilion Grands Crus Classés), Château Cap de Faugères (Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux), and Château Rocheryron (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru in co-ownership), broadened the company’s portfolio of appellations by acquiring Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, an 1855 1 er Grand Cru Classé in Sauternes (the Lalique Group recently finalized the acquisition of a 75% stake in the winery).

Well acquainted with the world of Lalique through his earlier work for the House, the Swiss architect Mario Botta has now designed Universo , a bespoke table created with the Lalique Interior Design Studio for Villa René Lalique.

SILVIO DENZ - OWNER

Silvio Denz and his team are committed to establishing synergies between the group’s di–erent spheres, and have signed an exceptional collaboration between Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, 1 er Grand Cru Classé and The Glenturret. Part of the 2022 vintage was matured in four oak casks from the famous Scotch whisky distillery. These four creations represent a true marriage of expertise, a fusion of Scottish amber and Sauternes gold. These judicious alliances have further enhanced the reputation of the estate, which opened its doors to a sumptuous Relais & Châteaux and five-star hotel in 2018. This establishment is a convergence of four worlds: wine, crystal, haute cuisine with two Michelin stars and hospitality. When it comes to art and meaning, the only rules are those of expertise, rigour and passion. All with the common aim of creating emotion.

The vineyards of Château Lafaurie Peyraguey are located in the heart of the appellation, overlooking the village of Bommes, on the high gravel terraces of Sauternes. From the vineyard to the cellar, every e–ort is made to achieve perfection. As the years go by, the estate continues to produce exceptional wines: the 2021 and 2022 vintages were awarded 98-100 and 99-100 out of 100 points by renowned wine critics.

BY GUILLAUME CHAPALAIN

©Karine Faby

49

EXCESSIVE DRINKING IS DANGEROUS FOR THE HEALTH; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SHOULD BE CONSUMED WITH MODERATION.

LIFESTYLE

FOR THE CRYSTAL ARCHITECTURE COLLECTION, THE ARCHITECT TRANSFORMED HIMSELF INTO A DESIGNER OF STUNNING DECORATIVE OBJECTS.

W hen Silvio Denz sought out Mario Botta to design the wine cellar for the Château Faugères estate in Saint-Émilion, it was the start of a partnership that seemed as natural as it has been fruitful. A series of bold and innovative projects would follow. Who better than this leading exponent

Géo vase Wine cellar at Château Faugères ©JB Nadeau

of geometric form in all its purity to deftly play up the symmetry and radiance of crystal? Some years ago, for the two-Michelin starred restaurant at Villa René Lalique, Botta created a glass pavilion at one with nature as a contemporary reflection of the famed property in Wingen-sur-Moder. And for the Crystal Architecture collection, the architect transformed himself into a designer of stunning decorative objects. Fascinated by the work of Lalique’s master glassmakers, he dreamed up Géo , a perfectly square, transparent crystal vase bristling with pyramidal shapes, crafted using the lost-wax technique.

©Karine Faby

50

51

LIFESTYLE

WHO BETTER THAN MARIO BOTTA, A LEADING EXPONENT OF GEOMETRIC FORM IN ALL ITS PURITY, TO DEFTLY PLAY UP THE SYMMETRY AND RADIANCE OF CRYSTAL?

© Reto Guntli

52

53

LIFESTYLE

Mario Botta’s newest creation for Villa René Lalique is a table called Universo whose dimensions marry extremely well with the conical shape of the smoking room where it is situated. Impossible to miss upon entering the property due to its original glass tipi form, the intimate space, which was also designed by the architect, now features this round table at its centre in the manner of a unique work of art. The table’s large glass top rests on a set of twenty-four shafts, each of which is made up of eight inverted transparent crystal pyramids. Supported by a metal lattice base with an intentionally rough finish, the glass slab seems to float over the crystal elements. In keeping with the spirit of the Géo vase, whose design and manufacturing technique inspired this new project, the Universo table illustrates once again the exceptional expertise of Lalique’s master glassmakers. “My concept for the Universo table was that it serve as a synthesis of Lalique’s expertise and its ability to achieve the most beautiful expression of crystal in all its forms”, says Mario Botta. “The geometry and transparency of the inverted crystal pyramids, running from the table’s centre to its edges, are amplified by the play of light, bringing out the immense potential of glass as a source of infinite reflections.” To celebrate the singularity of this creation, a face of one of the Universo table’s crystal pyramids bears the architect’s signature.

©Karine Faby ©Karine Faby

CARLO ESTE is contemporary dining culture in perfect balance. The CARLO form by the Italian designer Carlo Dal Bianco exudes a charming lightness, as it combines basic geometric shapes with fine details such as playfully curved handles. In the ESTE design, powdery shades of green harmonise with luxurious gold. With its artistic ornamentations and spiralling lines, CARLO ESTE is a highlight that will continue to fascinate you and your guests again and again.

fuerstenberg-porzellan.com

54