'Le Verre Francais' vase

This vase by Cristallerie Schneider belongs to a range known as ‘Le Verre Français’ or ‘French Glass’, patented in 1921. [1] Works that bore this trademark comprised acid-etched cameo glassware decorated with stylised floral patterns in contrasting colours. Produced between 1918 and 1932, Le Verre Français sold in major department stores in Europe and America. [2]

Blow moulded in layers of orange and blue glass, this cylindrical vase is narrow at the base, widening in the upper section to create a rounded shoulder. A thick circular glass foot raises the body of the vase and balances its top-heavy form. Etched with hydrofluoric acid, the vessel’s glass ground has been given a matt semi-opaque finish and shows pale mottled orange. Decorative areas, which were kept in reserve and not exposed to the acid, stand out in relief and have been highly polished.

Inspired by plant stems, the vertical patterns have a pleasing asymmetry that prevents the design from becoming overly static. Heart-shaped leaves branch out from the central stem in shades of dark blue graduating to orange. Millefiore cane has been added to the base for decorative effect.

The carving or etching through of fused coloured glass is known as ‘cameo glass’, after a Roman technique for engraving glass vessels and semi-precious gemstones that was developed in the 1st century. [3] Attracted to the process of antique cameo glass, and inspired by the aesthetics of Qing-dynasty Chinese glass [4], designers of Art Nouveau revived cameo glass with some modifications, choosing to substitute Classical motifs with contemporary botanical designs.

Both brothers, Charles (1881-1952) and Ernest Schneider (1877-1937), worked at Daum in Nancy before purchasing their own glassworks in 1913 in partnership with Henri Wolff. [5] While at Daum, Charles received practical training in glass engraving, decorating and model-making. [6] In 1904, he entered the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he developed his skill in bronze engraving and painting. [7]

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