Exquisite antique French cabinet vase decorated with naturalistic freeform silver overlay by Lucien Gaillard. Featuring iridescent art glass with a textured surface to the exterior, the glass is a lovely golden yellow/topaz hue with iridescent finish displaying silver and purple tones depending on the lighting. Decorated with applied silver elements resembling seaweed or branches. Measures 5 7/8" height x 3" wide. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use, no chips or cracks to the glass. Hallmarked with the French head of the wild boar indicating a finesse of at lease .800/1000 silver. Bearing maker's marks for Lucien Gaillard, one of the most celebrated Art Nouveau jewelry designers. The glass is not signed, likely by a French or Bohemian maker.
Lucien Gaillard was a French goldsmith and jeweler, who worked in the art nouveau style. Born on November 13, 1861 in Paris into a family of jewelers. His grandfather Amédée Alexandre Gaillard founded a jewelry firm in Paris in 1840, which he then passed on to his son Ernest (1836-1909). Since 1878, Lucien had been eagerly waiting in the wings training as an apprentice under his father. Father and son were awarded a silver medal at the 1878 World's Fair. In 1892, Ernest Gaillard handed over the business at 101, rue de Temple in Paris to his son, Lucien. At the 1889 Parisian International Exhibition, he was awarded a gold medal for his engraved objects. He was also a judge at the 1893 Universal Exposition in Chicago. At the Exhibition in 1900, he displayed an impressive array of silver vases, remarkable for their subtle, alluring patinas. Though he left without winning a prize, Gaillard came away with a new source of inspiration: the jewellery of René Lalique. In 1902 he was made a knight of the Legion of Honour. His brother, Ernest, was also a well known art nouveau furniture designer. He died on November 23, 1942 in Paris.