#Middlebury
Talented artists often become well-known for just one type of art when they actually created many different things. Emile Galle (1846-1904), the famous artist known for his cameo glass, designed, made and sold pottery and furniture. The glass and furniture are popular with today’s collectors. The pottery is scarce and not well-known. Galle was a leader in Art Nouveau design and a passionate botanist, yet few of the art books mention anything but his cameo glass.
Galle’s father had a store and sold glass and ceramics. Emile Galle studied glass making, design, botany and mineralogy, and he even served in the Franco-Prussian war. This training helped him in his commercial projects. After schooling, he moved back to Nancy, France, his birthplace, and started his own workshop. In 1874, he directed Saint-Clement pottery and eventually moved it to Nancy. His pottery was exhibited at the 1878 Paris Exhibition, and later, he showcased both pottery and glass at another Paris exhibition. He set up his furniture shop in 1884. The wooden pieces feature marquetry using naturalistic designs similar to those found on his cameo glass.
This 14-inch wide faience bowl made by the Galle factory sold for $968. Emile Galle’s cameo glass brings much higher prices.
Galle invented many new techniques for making glass, and he started the Art Nouveau style that used curved lines, shapes and natural designs with plants and animals. His Art Nouveau cameo glass was world-renowned, and he continued to study and write about horticultural subjects. Galle died at age 58 after a long battle with leukemia.
A large faience-handled bowl with flowers, scrolls, dolphin heads and a picture of a sailboat was auctioned at a James Julia sale in 2017. It’s marked with a Cross of Lorraine and the words “Emile Galle Fecit Modele depose.” (Emile Galle registered design). A similar bowl was on “Antiques Roadshow” in 2016 with an estimated value more than twice the price paid of $968.
Q: While at an estate sale, I bought a Hall six-cup ceramic teapot. The bottom is stamped with pattern No. 0113, and the color is maroon with a gold patterned detail. There also is “M8” stamped on the bottom rim. When was this made?
A: You have a Hollywood teapot first made by Hall in the 1920s. It was made in 4-cup, 5-cup, 6-cup, and 8-cup sizes. Hollywood teapots were made in solid colors as well as with decal decorations. At one time, Hall was the world’s largest manufacturer of teapots. The value of your teapot is $25 to $35.
Current Prices
Amethyst glass, sugar, black amethyst, square, scallop rim, pedestal foot, handles, c. 1934, 4 inches, $25.
Grain shovel, farming tool, hand-carved, one piece of wood, paddle-shaped, cylindrical handle, c. 1870, 51 x 10 inches, $230.
Fly catcher, blown glass, etched bamboo design, shouldered, spherical stopper, scroll feet, c. 1890, 13 inches, $735.
Banner, sideshow, Madam Clair, The Psychic Wonder, psychic holding crystal ball, 80 x 120 inches, $4,320.
TIP: If you have museum-quality wooden furniture, do not use modern furniture-spray polish. Use wax and apply it about once a year. Just dust it regularly.
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© 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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