Gros Scarabées

Many of Lalique's designs are produced in various glass colours. These colours were a mimicry of gemstone properties and their specific colours. Colour in glass is acquired by adding metal oxides (salts) to the glass mass. For example, manganese oxide (MnO₂) produces purple to black/brown (MnO) glass, iron oxide (Fe³⁺) produces green or blue-green (Fe²⁺) glass, copper oxide (CuO) produces blue to green-blue or red (Cu₂O) glass, and gold(III) oxide (Au2O3) produces ruby to deep red glass. This is accomplished by colloidal gold (microscopic gold particles) distributed throughout the glass mass. Gold ions (Au³⁺) scatter to form elemental gold (Au⁰) and small nanoparticles. These nanoparticles cause light scattering (plasmon resonance), resulting in a typical ruby-to-deep red colour. The amber-red colour of the Gros Scarab Vase was achieved in this way. Micro-flakes of gold are still visible on the surface in some spots.

The scarab symbolizes eternal life and rebirth. For the Egyptians, the scarab was an important heart amulet, both during life and as protection during the transition from earthly life to the next. They saw the scarab holding its eggs in a ball of dung and rolling it along, making it a symbol of new life from seemingly nothing. The scarab was associated with the sun god Khepri (also Chepri), who brings the sun to sunrise every morning. Thus, it symbolizes renewal, transformation, and new beginnings. The name Khepri is derived from the Egyptian verb 'kheper' which means 'to become' or 'to create'.