COLLECTIBLES : Restoring Art Nouveau’s Legacy
The Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th Century inspired a rebellion among a few French master designers and potters, who considered the style dull and lifeless.
They chose, instead, to create colorful, exquisitely crafted glass vases; silver serving vessels in elegant shapes; lavishly decorated bronze statues; richly ornamented and engraved silver and pewter, and imaginative jewelry, such as intricate necklaces and pendants combining enameled metals and jewels.
Master craftsman Rene Jule Lalique, founder of the French glass firm still in existence, triumphed with his crystal perfume bottles, now highly collectible. Both Galle and Daum specialized in glass vases. American Louis Comfort Tiffany made his mark from about 1880 until 1910. During that era, he initiated patterned glass windows (formerly found only in churches) for doorways and room dividers in many houses. He produced famous lamps, too, well into the 1930s.
Art Nouveau statuary, often made of metal or pottery, is generally small enough for shelf and table display. One common subject for Nouveau statuary, bare-shouldered women, was daring for the time. These bold beauties are sometimes accompanied by exotic birds or animals, and their enveloping swirls of drapes or garlands suggest graceful dance movements.
Most renowned Art Nouveau objects are now in museums or private collections or are very costly. But reasonably priced examples do turn up at estate sales and in shops that sell vintage accessories. It’s also possible you have some articles of the period packed away as heirlooms.
Art Nouveau glass and ceramics, like all antiques made of these materials, are susceptible to chipping or crazing. Typical Nouveau statuary, with its flowing, far-flung parts, suffers increased chances of breakage.
A common problem with Tiffany-style windows and lampshades is the loss of pieces of colored glass. Temperature variations cause the lead holding the patterns together to expand and soften, then small pieces drop out.
Some sources of professional restoration for Art Nouveau items are:
Rosine Green Associates Inc., 45 Bartlett Crescent, Brookline, MA 02146; (617) 277-8368. Fine arts restorers specializing in metal, porcelain, glass and furniture. Brochure sent on request.
Grady Stewart, 2019 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19103; (215) 567-2888. Restorer of fragile pieces like Galle and Cameo vases.
Venturella Studio, 32 Union Square, E, Room 1110, New York, NY 10003; (212) 228-4252. Makers of art glass and restorers of stained-glass doors, windows and Tiffany lamps. Telephone inquiries welcome.