Category
Jewellery
René Lalique
Circa 1897-1898
Gold, enamel, chalcedony
Property of Shai Bandmann and Ronald Ooi
Egypt was clearly a major source of inspiration for René Lalique. He not only studied the works exhibited in museums, but was also influenced by the experience of personal friends. During a visit to the land of the Pharaohs in 1895, the painter Georges Clairin wrote enthusiastic letters to his friend describing the « delightful life on the River Nile ». He sent René Lalique sketches inspired by details of hieroglyphs, and brought him gifts of carnelians, agates and other stones, with the suggestion that: « Egypt could provide inspiration for some jewellery pieces ».
By the way: The collet of this ring features an Egyptian figure in profile.