Category
Decorative items
René Lalique
1921
Pressed glass and wood
Property of Benjamin Gastaud
René Lalique produced his first electric lamps in 1913. In 1921 he created the first models integrating the function of perfume burner or diffuser, of which Roses is a fine example.
The wooden base held an electric light bulb. Perfume was poured into the recipient, and when the light was switched on, the heat of the bulb served to diffuse the perfume. So the lamp served the dual purpose of providing discreet lighting and diffusing fragrant perfumes into the atmosphere.
The rose motif was hollow-moulded into the glass, forming a tiara shape. Depending on their colour, roses may symbolise passion and love, but also infidelity.
Lalique’s electric lamp/perfume diffusers were distributed by Maison Robj, a specialist in porcelain trinkets and lamps founded in 1908. They did not appear in the Lalique catalogue until 1928.
By the way: In 1913 René Lalique began designing perfume bottles using the same tiara shape. They became known as the “tiara perfume bottles”.
