Two cameo glass vases painted with enamel 40 and 23.5 cm high LEGRAS circa 1910.
François Théodore Legrasse, one of the foremost Art Nouveau glaziers along with Emile Galle, the Daum brothers and René Lalique. François Theodore Legrasse’s factory was called the Saint-Denis Glass and Crystal Factory. His products were presented at the World Exhibition of 1900 in Paris and received the Grand Prix.
The Legras & Cie production, organized by Auguste-Jean-Francois Legras in 1864 as a result of the acquisition of an already existing production in Saint-Denis (now a suburb of Paris), throughout its activity was a very successful commercial enterprise, although the artistic level of its products and was not exceptionally high. Auguste Legras himself was a great admirer of Galle.
Square vase in cameo glass with a summer landscape painted with enamel height 19.5 cm LEGRAS circa 1905.
From 1900, Legras began to produce glass in the Art Nouveau style. Of the products of this time, the most interesting are cameo-style vases and decorated with enamel, outwardly similar to carved carnelian. They were made of several layers of opaque, beige-pink glass, on the outer layer of which, with the help of hydrofluoric acid, a pattern of flowers (chrysanthemums, irises, etc.), fruits or algae was etched. In subsequent stages, this pattern was covered with enamel (green for leaves, and red or brown (most often) for fruits and flowers) and vitrified in a kiln.
In 1909, Auguste Legras retired and production was taken over by his son Charles. The company continued to manufacture products in the Art Nouveau style. Among the most common items after 1909 are glass, on which designs are made by etching, often on a transparent background with a “frost pattern”. Enamels and gilding were also often used.
Products by François Théodore Legrasse
Two cameo glass vases with animal scenes height 19 and 24 cm, early 20th century.Legras factory in Saint Denis.Large emerald glass vase engraved and gilded Legras et Cie circa 1900.Art Deco engraved and gilded cameo vase Legras et Cie Mont Joye circa 1925.Cameo glass vase with vine motif height 65.4 cm, early 20th century.Pair of glass vases painted with poppies painted with enamels and gilded height 40.5 cm, 1900.Cameo glass vase with thistle motif, 1900.Small cameo glass vase decorated with a cherry branch height 10 cm.Cameo vase depicting hazel leaves and fruits highlighted in gilding height 21.5 cm, 1900.Vase with forest landscape painted with enamels, 1910.Ruby cameo glass vase with leaf motif 28 cm high, 1905.Pair of vases with floral decor painted with enamels height 33 cm.Cameo glass vase Nasturtium with engraving and enamel height 10.7 cm, 1910.Pair of gilded cameo glass vases height 31 cm.Cameo glass vase with flowers and leaves enamel painting height 48 cm.Cameo glass vase with floral decoration height 20.5 cm.Enamelled glass vase height 38 cm.Unusually shaped cameo glass vase Sailboats height 7 cm, circa 1900.Landscape vase painted with enamel height 19.5 cm, circa 1905.Two vases in cameo glass with enamel and gilding height 39 cm, circa 1910.Cameo glass vase with floral decoration height 32 cm, around 1900.Enamelled glass vases height 39 and 11 cm, 1915.Orange glass cameo vase with leaf motif 14 cm high, 1925.Cameo glass vase depicting currant branches enamel painting height 64.5 cm, circa 1925.Art Deco cameo vase with engraving and gilding height 33.5 cm, circa 1925.
