A rare, large, olive green glass vase from the nineteenth century decorated with foliage and berries - perhaps mistletoe. Acid etched with gold, signed Legras (François Théodore Legras 1839 - 1916).
Certificate of authenticity included.
Biography by Michael Vessiere
Born on December 27, 1839, in the department of Vosges, in Lorraine, Legras comes from a modest family, his father was a lumberjack. He spent his childhood exploring the forest, that of Darney, considered one of the most beautiful in France. This love for nature will be illustrated in his future glass creations, Legras is inspired by the fauna, the flora, but especially the forest landscapes that he loves so much.
At the age of 20, Legras began to learn the trade of glassmaker in his native hamlet. At 25, he decided to try the Parisian adventure, and began working at the Plaine Saint-Denis glassworks . Very quickly, at the age of 27, he became director of the glassworks . François Théodore Legras (and not Auguste as we often hear) will be at the head of the largest glass factory in France, employing more than 1400 workers and 150 decorative artists. Working day and night, it produces both utilitarian pieces intended for a popular clientele and more sought-after works. It will be the largest Art Nouveau glassworks in the Paris region. Legras et Cie manufactures glassware for the chemical industry, produces bottles, glass services, vases, etc.
The corporate name of the glassworks has always been Legras et Compagnie between 1883 and 1919 with changes in composition.
Only the trade names have changed:
Glassworks and Crystalworks of Saint-Denis (1897).
Société anonyme des Verreries de Saint-Denis and Pantin united (1897).
Glassworks and Crystalworks of Saint-Denis and Quatre-Chemins in Pantin (1898).
Souchon-Neuvesel glassworks in Lyon, factory in Saint-Denis (1924).
You should know that a Legras vase is part of the history of decorative arts. Indeed, Legras was a founding glassmaker of the Art Nouveau movement, alongside Émile Gallé and the Daum brothers.
