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.
