Vaas met ahorntakken c. 1904 - 1906

Here is Emile Galle's 'Vaas met ahorntakken', a glass vase standing just under 30cm tall. Galle was a glass artist working in France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when Europe was grappling with rapid industrialization, class tensions and changing social norms. Galle’s vase is more than just a pretty object, it reflects a yearning for the natural world amidst the rise of urban life. The maple branches and berries, rendered in warm amber and red tones, evoke a sense of autumnal beauty and a connection to the changing seasons. Galle, deeply affected by the Franco-Prussian War, infused his art with layers of meaning. His glass works often incorporate botanical motifs, like here, symbolizing growth, decay, and resilience, perhaps echoing his hopes for France's recovery. His pieces invite you to contemplate the fragility of both nature and human existence, reminding us of our shared vulnerability and the importance of preserving beauty in a world undergoing constant transformation.