Six Figurines et Masques

This design was created in 1910/11 and registered in may 1912. De main body is satinated (absorption by saturation) with etching fluid (different from matting by sand-blasting) and stained with grey patina to enhance the relief. The pattern depicts a kind of curved frieze of six female figures and six masques beneath their feet, adorned with vines and flower tendrils. The vase is blown in a mold consisting of six parts connected by hinges. A calculated volume of hot glass is placed in the closed mold, where the glass expands towards the extremeties of the mold through the infusion of air, taking on its shape.

The symbolics of the pattern refer to the love for women and their holiness and 'privacy' or 'solitude' respresented by masks. The Latin word for mask is 'persona'. The word is derived from 'per' and 'sonare' which means 'sounding through'. Lalique was a Freemason and held a different worldview than the Christian one. His beliefs were partly based on animistic principles (based on nature) and humanism (humans as focal point). In ancient times the phenomenon of a mask was not considered as a negative subject but as a way to ensure your privacy, something strongly cherished by Lalique. Apart from being an artist, Lalique was a gifted businessman, engineer and had profound knowledge of mythology and classical languages.