“Art for art’s sake” was a belief strongly espoused by the celebrated French designer and glassworker Émile Gallé. Through his ethereal glass vases, other vessels and lamps, which he adorned with botanical and religious motifs, Gallé advanced the Art Nouveau ideology and led the modern renaissance of French glass.
Gallé was the son of successful faience and furniture maker Charles Gallé but studied philosophy and botany before coming to glassmaking later in life. The young Gallé’s expertise in botany, however, would inform his design style and become his signature for generations to come.
After learning the art of glassmaking, Gallé went to work at his father’s factory in Nancy. He initially created clear glass objects but later began to experiment with layering deeply colored glass.
While glassmakers on Murano had applied layers of glass and color on decorative objects before Gallé had, he was ever-venturesome in his northeastern France, taking advantage of defects that materialized during his processes and etching in natural forms like insects such as dragonflies, marine life, the sun, vines, fruits and flowers modeled from local specimens.
Gallé is also credited with reviving cameo glass, a glassware style that originated in Rome. He used cabochons, which were applied raised-glass decorations colored with metallic oxides and made to resemble rich jeweling. Gallé's cameo glass vases and vessels were widely popular at the Paris Exhibition of 1878, cementing his position as a talented designer and pioneer.
During the late 19th century, Gallé led breakthroughs in mass production and employed hundreds of artisans in his workshop.
Botany and nature remained great sources of inspiration for the artist's glassmaking — just as they had for other Art Nouveau designers. From approximately 1890 to 1910, the movement’s talented designers produced furniture, glass and architecture in the form of — or adorned with — gently intertwining trees, flowers and vines. But Gallé had many interests, such as Eastern art and ceramics. The Japanese collection he visited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (then the South Kensington Museum) during the 1870s had made an impression too.
Breaking free from the rigid Victorian traditions, Gallé infused new life and spirit into the art and design of his time through exquisitely crafted glass vessels and pioneering new glassworking techniques.
Find a collection of Émile Gallé vases and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
French Art Nouveau Two Tiered Painted Top Center Table, Circa 1900
Located in CH
French Art Nouveau Two-Tiered Painted Top Center Table Circa 1900 A finely crafted French Art Nouveau center table featuring two tiers with a delicately painted tabletop. Dating to ...
Wood
$17,500
H 14.97 in W 22.45 in D 17.33 in
Émile Gallé Art Nouveau Side Table, Marquetry Wood, France, Circa 1910
By Émile Gallé
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Nouveau table, made in marquetry, by Émile Gallé (1846-1904). Signed Galle France, CIRCA 1910.
Wood
$8,213
H 29.73 in W 26.97 in D 19.49 in
Original French Art Nouveau Marquetry Table ''Japonisme'' by Emile Galle 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Very rare original Emile Galle ''plate 66 Japonisme'' side table in Art Nouveau style. This beautiful side table was created by Emile Galle in 1900, during the art nouveau period. It features exquisite marquetry woodwork that is inspired by the Japonisme movement, which was influenced by Japanese art and design. The side table is decorated with breathtaking Magnolia flowers & a romantic couple of butterflies. Made from various types of wood, creating a unique scenery almost like a painting. The table showcases intricate details, such as delicate foliage and organic forms, that are hallmarks of art nouveau style. Galle was renowned for his innovative techniques and attention to detail, and this piece is a testament to his mastery of the craft. It is a stunning example of the art nouveau movement and a true work of art. Literature: ''Galle furniture by Alastair Duncan and Georges de Bartha 2012 Page 153. Plate 66. This Emile Galle table...
Walnut, Fruitwood, Rosewood
$4,705
H 27.96 in W 25.01 in D 18.31 in
Art Nouveau Marquetry Side Table by Émile Gallé, Walnut, France, 1900s
By Émile Gallé
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Nouveau marquetry side table. Design by Émile Gallé Original solid walnut base with four tapered legs. The original table top, which has been slightly bended...
Macassar, Walnut
$3,037
H 27.17 in W 16.54 in D 12.21 in
Art Nouveau Etagere, Side Table, Fruitwood with Nice Inlays, France, Around 1910
Located in Greven, DE
Fine antique etagere France (?) Fruitwood Art Nouveau around 1910 Dimensions: H x W x D: 69 x 42 x 31 cm Description: Dainty side table with two shelves. Strongly slante...
Fruitwood
$7,713
H 30.32 in W 21.07 in D 21.07 in
Antique French art nouveau side table “Thistle” by Emile Galle 1900 gueridon
By Émile Gallé
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This elegant Art Nouveau guéridon was designed by Émile Gallé, circa 1900, and is a fine example of his signature marquetry work. The shaped tabletop features a delicate floral scene...
Walnut
French Two Tiered Inlaid Tray Table
Located in Sarasota, FL
A French two tiered tray table circa 1910. Beautifully inlaid with floral marquetry on both table tops and finished with bronze ormolu. Supported on slender restrained cabriole legs.
Bronze
$16,101Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.89 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Original Art Nouveau Pedestal by Emile Galle 1890 French Antique Inlaid Table
By Émile Gallé
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Breathtaking & Most rare! This French Art Nouveau Pedestal by famous designer Emile Galle with early signature circa 1890. Exquisite ...
Wood, Fruitwood, Rosewood
$17,273
H 31.3 in W 22.45 in D 22.05 in
Original French Art Nouveau game table / side table by Emile Gallé 1905 chestnut
By Émile Gallé, Gallé
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & most rare! This marvelous games table by Emile Galle. The top is richly decorated with a masterfully inlay of various woods. Depicting multiple chestnut leaves in differe...
Wood, Walnut
Émile Gallé Art Nouveau Occasional Table with Floral Marquetry
By Émile Gallé
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau occasional table with a circular top with shaped edge and floral marquetry inlay that rotates on a central axis, resting on four tapered sabre legs joined by a squ...
Wood
