680 - Rare vase with floral décor

Rare vase with floral décor Rare vase with floral decoration by Émile Gallé (design), Nancy; made by Burgun, Schverer & Cie., Meisenthal; probably decorated by Désiré Christian, c. 1885–1890. Light green, transparent glass with a textured surface. Spherical body resting on a profiled nodus and a flared, multi-step foot. The mouth is crown-shaped with six raised, cut-out prongs. Carved floral decoration in relief, partly in polychrome interlayer enamels (“émaux intercalaires”). The rim and foot edges are gilded. Signed on the underside in engraving: “E. Gallé Nancy.” H. 27.5 cm Gallé’s family had glass produced by Burgun, Schverer & Cie. in Meisenthal since the 1860s. From 1867 onward, design drawings and models were sent from Nancy to Meisenthal, where the glassware was blown and decorated. Désiré Christian became head of the decoration studio in 1877/78 and worked extensively for Gallé during this period. Of particular interest is a contract dated January 4, 1885, between Gallé, Burgun, Schverer & Co. and Christian. It expressly regulated the terms of their collaboration: the factory was to produce the glass according to Gallé’s molds and instructions, Christian was to carry out the decoration, and Gallé guaranteed the decoration studio a steady stream of orders.