René Jules Lalique (6 April 1860, Ay, Marne — 1 May 1945, Paris) was a French glass designer known for his creations of glass art, perfume bottles, vases, jewellry, chandeliers, clocks and automobile hood ornaments.

  • 1860: Rene Jules Lalique born in the village of Ay in the Champagne district of France.
  • 1876: apprenticed with the Parisian Jeweller Louis Aucoq.
  • 1878-1880: attends Sydenham Art College London.
  • Early 1880s: spent working for Aucoq, Cartier, Boucheron and others
  • 1885: Takes over the workshop of Jules Destape.
  • 1890: Lalique marries and opens new business premises and living quarters at 20 rue Therese.
  • 1891: Lalique’s creates Jewels for his first important patron Sarah Bernhardt.
  • 1893: Lalique begins experimenting with glass.
  • 1895-1905: Executes approx. 150 important commissions for his biggest patron Calouste Gubenkian.
  • 1900: Universal Exhibition Paris, Lalique exhibits Art Nouveau Jewellery & awarded Legion of Honor.
  • 1902: New work shop and residence at 40 Cours la Reine. 1905 New retail premises at 24 place Vendome.
  • 1907: Lalique designs perfume labels for Francois Coty and perfume bottles the following year.
  • 1913: Opens glassworks factory at Combs-La-Ville.
  • 1921: Opens new factory at Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsac.
  • 1925: Paris Exposition Lalique pavilion and a magnificent glass fountain forty five feet in height.
  • 1929: Glass designs for the Orient Express.
  • 1933: Paris retrospective exhibition
  • 1935: S.S. Normandie sails with interior fittings and tableware by Lalique.
  • 1937: Combes-La-Ville factory permanently closes.
  • 1940: Wingen-sur-Moder factory closes not to reopen until after the war.
  • 1945: May 5th. Rene Lalique dies.

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