THE LIFE OF RENÉ LALIQUE

The name Lalique conjures the sparkle of jewelry, the marvel of transparency, and the radiance of crystal. Originally, it was the name of a man, a genius artist, René-Jules Lalique, and his descendants who inherited his creative spirit. We invite you to explore this page to learn about the history of Lalique...

René Lalique designing at his desk

1860 - Birth of René Lalique

René Lalique was born in Aÿ-en-Champagne in the Marne region of France. Some years later, the Lalique family moved to Paris but continued to spend holidays in Aÿ. René Lalique remained deeply attached to his birthplace throughout his life.

Rene Lalique sitting for a portrait photograph

Renen Lalique sitting in a thinking position

1885 - Lalique's First Parisian Workshop

Following the death of his father, René Lalique began an apprenticeship with the craftsman and jeweller Louis Aucoc. During this time, he learned jewellery-making skills while studying at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. He then traveled to England to continue his education for another two years. By 1885, having established himself as an independent designer for renowned jewellery Houses such as Jacta, Cartier, and Boucheron, René Lalique acquired the workshop of jeweller Jules Destape on Place Gaillon in Paris.

Original Drawn Design of Rene Lalique

1888 - First Ornaments Inspired by Antiquity and Japonism

In 1887, Lalique set up business on Rue du Quatre-Septembre. As early as 1888 he designed his first parures in finely-wrought gold inspired by Antiquity and Japonism, and broke with jewellery-making tradition by including innovative materials in his pieces. At the time, originality and creativity had been abandoned in favour of ornate and lavish styles with an abundance of precious stones. Lalique made the materials he used central to his designs. He chose them for their power, light and colour, whether they were precious or not. He combined gold and gemstones with semi-precious stones, mother-of-pearl, ivory and horn, in addition to enamel and glass. In 1888, René Lalique registered his “RL” stamp and engraved the unique pieces created in his workshop with these letters.

Lalique's first registered brand mark or stamp

1890 - The Transition from Jewelry to Enamel & Glass

René Lalique's work had gained wide-spread popularity. He now opened his third workshop at 20, Rue Thérèse in Paris. His first experiments and designs using glass date from this era. Lalique already used enamel and glass, side-by-side with gold, opals, diamonds, pearls or amethysts, to embellish his jewellery.

1922 - The Verrerie D'Alsace Begins Production

René Lalique had now devoted himself to glassmaking for several years. His quest for a suitable location to produce glassware and a qualified workforce led him to Alsace. He founded the Verrerie d’Alsace glassworks at Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace, at the heart of a region with a strong and historic glassmaking tradition. This is now the world’s only Lalique factory.

A glimpse of the original glass works factory of Rene Lalique

1945 - The Legacy

After his death, his son, Marc, took over the business with the aim of bringing them into the new age of crystal. Marc was later succeeded by his daughter, Marie-Claude Lalique, who renewed the Lalique jewelry side of the business and launched their perfume lines. The decendant of Rene Lalique did him proud and continue his legacy, even adding on to it.

Today, the name Lalique continues to symbolise the pinnacle of French artistic craftsmanship, where glass becomes poetry and light finds form. From his revolutionary jewellery that redefined an era, to his mastery of crystal that still captivates the world, René Lalique left behind more than objects — he created a legacy of beauty, innovation, and timeless elegance.

Through the vision of his descendants, this creative flame burns as brightly as ever. More than a century later, Lalique remains not just a brand, but a living testament to one man’s extraordinary genius.