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Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique
:The Gilded Age

Title: Cigarette Case, 1908
Artist: House of Fabergé (Russian, 1846 – 1920)
Medium: Gold, Enamel, Diamonds
Permanent Collection: The Royal Collection
© 2007, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, RCIN 40113.
Image Courtesy: Cleveland Museum of Art

Peter Carl Fabergé, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and René Lalique designed jewels, gems and the luxuries that only the truly rich could afford to commission. Luckily like many important pieces they entered the public domain through donation and acquisition or simply lending to public institutions such as Ohio's Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA). The museum has organized an exhibit concentrating on the diverse and beautiful pieces created by Fabergé, Tiffany and Lalique.

Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique
Cleveland Museum of Art
October 15 2008 - January 19, 2009

“This exhibition grew out of a desire to study the incredible diversity of work created by designers of luxury goods from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the First World War and the dynamic competition that resulted,” Stephen Harrison, CMA curator of decorative art and design, said. “Fabergé, Tiffany, and Lalique were the first to market themselves as “artists” and not just mere jewelers or craftsmen. They hoped that by association their work would be considered on the same level of artistic achievement as painting and sculpture.”

House of Fabergé

The practice began with Tsar Alexander III who was so pleased with the first creation, given to his wife Maria, he appointed Fabergé as an official supplied to the Royal Court. Alexander's son and heir, Nicholas II, continued the practice until his death, in 1917, during the Russian Revolution.

Fabergé produced more than Easter eggs. Uniquely he used gemstones to make the items increasing their aesthetic appearance and value. During his life he became the Court Goldsmith to both the Russian and Swedish Royal courts. In 1900 he was selected to represent Russia in the 1900 World's Fair in Paris.

Peter Carl Fabergé fled Russia in 1917 and traveled across Europe before finally settling in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Tiffany & Co

Title: The Wade Necklace, circa 1900,
formerly owned by Mrs Ellen Garretson Wade (1860-1917)
Artist: Tiffany & Co. (American, 1837 – present)
Medium: Gold, Platinum, Diamonds
Dimensions: 36 x 8.5 cm
Photo: Jan Van Pak
Permanent Collection: Tiffany & Co. Archives, A1999.49
Image Courtesy: Cleveland Museum of Art

Louis Comfort Tiffany is perhaps best known for his revitalization of stained glass. Tiffany was the son of the founder of Tiffany & Co., Charles Lewis Tiffany. The son developed an early interest in glass work. He used opalescent glass to create his unique innovative style of lamps and vases.

Tiffany & Co. have long attracted some of the finest designers. Currently Frank Gehry, Elsa Peretti Paloma Picasso all create for Tiffany.

René Lalique

Title: Vase Grenouilles et Nenouphars (Frogs and Lilypads), 1909-1912
Artist: René Lalique (French, 1860 –1945)
Medium: Molded and Applied Glass
Permanent Collection: The Cleveland Museum of Art
John L. Severance Fund, 2007.180
© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris
Image Courtesy: Cleveland Museum of Art

René Lalique's work is recognized for his achievements in the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements. He was a glass designer noted for his designs of vases, perfume bottles and jewelry.

Title: Pendant with Serpent Motif, 1901
Artist: René Lalique (French, 1860 –1945
Medium: Gold, Pearls, Enamel
Permanent Collection: The State Hermitage Museum, 1E-5364
© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris
Image Courtesy: Cleveland Museum of Art

Lalique depicted natural themes in his pieces such as plants and animals.

Title: Butterfly Brooch, c. 1895-1905
Unknown maker France
Medium: Diamonds Silver Gold
Collection of Neil Lane
Photo: © Richard Rubins
Image Courtesy: Cleveland Museum of Art

“Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique will be a stunning exhibition and the perfect show to open our new special exhibitions galleries, a major part of our building and renovation project which began in 2005,” said Timothy Rub, CMA director. “This exhibition builds on our commitment to quality, scholarship, and the development of programming that truly engages and educates audiences in Cleveland and throughout the U.S.”

Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique
Cleveland Museum of Art:
October 19 2008 - January 18, 2009
Palace of the Legion of Honor:
February 14 - May 31, 2009