“Lady among Vine Branches" Vase, the name Daum.
In the Origins of the House.
The name Daum, like Baccarat, Lalique and Saint Louis, is now known worldwide and is synonymous with skill, virtuosity and excellence in the field of crystal art.
Born in 1878 in Lorraine, the grand manufacturer is now dynamic and always innovative.Founded by Jean Daum, it was headed by his descendants until the 1990s.Its success and longevity are the result of pertinent choices made by all the leaders. It is also the result of a great ability to adapt to the artistic taste of each era.
In 2006, “Daum promenade” was organized by the city of Nancy and posted crystal totems that showcased artists thus elevating the status of the crystal maker. But there are also the 600 pieces in the Museum of Fine Arts in Nancy- excellent references - that can trace the history of the factory.
The glassware company purchased in 1878 by Jean Daum, then a notary from Bitche who came to Nancy after the French defeat in 1870, produced only bottles and glass that were unoriginal. It was Antonin, a son of Jean Daum and graduate of the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, that we owe the revival of the decorative arts intuition and the desire to steer the company towards glass art. However, in addition to exceptional items, no time was neglected upon current production choices or the development of tablewares.Choices include the recruitment of exceptional master glassmakers having a strong vision like Jacques Grüber, Henry Bergé (main designer), Emile Writz or Amalric Walter, who introduced the technique of pâte de cristal.
In the late 19th century, Daum glass already had a great reputation. They participated in all major events. They had a great success at the Decorative and Industrial Arts Exposition in 1894 and obtained together with Emile Gallé the first grand prize at the Universal Exposition held in Paris in 1900. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries Art Nouveau was developing with Gallé, Majorelle and Bergé, who all originated from the famous Ecole de Nancy. Nature, wildlife, flora become its main sources of inspiration for creating decorative objects. The techniques most commonly used involved the superimposition of layers of different colored glasses and the use of a wheel for acid etching to reveal the deeper layers where motifs and subtle gradations of color arose. On the eve of the WWI Daum became an industry dedicated to art.
The period following the War of 1914-1918 saw Daum progressively direct their production towards Art Deco which triumphed at the Universal Exposition held in Paris in 1925. More geometric shapes, more refinement and a great interest in materials and all possibilities asserted their name.
The monochrome-colored, colorless, ice blue, yellow, crystallized brown or smoky glass was adorned with wrought iron supports or with inclusions of metal leaves, enamel remnants proving that “all the glory lies within the materials” ( Antoine Daum).New commissions were ordered from retailers and department stores.The Daum firm was entrusted with the realization of 90,000 pieces for the cruise liner the SS Normandie in 1935.
Evolutions and New Themes.
A complete change occurred after 1945.Without
neglecting pâte de cristal, the crystal became the main focus and behind innovative efforts. It was employed with the production of unique pieces, decorative items as well as utilitarian objects.Henri and Michel Daum, then Jacques Daum invited contemporary artists such as Dali and César.More recently, projects in gouache were realized by Georges Braque and launched a series of airy and colored crystal pieces..Creative Director since 1999, the famous designer Jean-Baptiste Sibertin-Blanc invited designers from different backgrounds: Enzo Mari for example or the creators from the agency Cent Degrés. The new designs have both the latest techniques from the level of conception to know-how from the final artisans.
Nature remains an essential source of inspiration. Take for example the vases flowers (daffodils, roses, amaryllis) or bamboo coupe and large palm leaves exhibited in 2008 at the Trianon at Bagatelle Park in Paris, works by the Italian designer Emilio Robba, amaryllis also displayed in park gardens ...
Here is the theme of nature and women, a legacy of Art Nouveau which is adopted with this vase, the woman's hair mingling with the grape clusters.
Within the contemporary production, no theme or source of inspiration is excluded. Thus was born within the crystal and pâte de crystal production exceptional items such as zodiac signs inspired by creations from the daring Chinese artist Chen Changwei, Ben’s writings, a piece of crystal replicating a metal sculpture from the Mozambique artist, Mabunda, denouncing war and weapons, etc. ...
True to its traditions, Daum implements the most elaborated techniques from glass artists and constantly adapts its production and stay involved with movements within contemporary art.
Expertissimtherefore proposes a piece revealing the inherited mastery from the glassmakers at Ecole de Nancy.This combines the Daum firm’s expertise with a more contemporary aesthetic of a pure form. We note the exceptional work of the pâte de cristal on the bottom of the vase, treated like a round statuette; and the brightness of the violet color and clever shading of hues along the base.
Suzanne Kabanda (Etudiante à l'I.E.S.A.)
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