DAUM Nancy - Lot 108

DAUM Nancy Pansu vase with narrow neck Smoked glass proof resting on a circular base decorated with horizontal acid-etched ribs Signed "Daum -Croix de Lorraine - Nancy France". Circa 1930-40 Height: 20 cm Diameter: 28 cm (approx.) (scratches from use and firing bubbles under the base) NOTICE Daum Nancy, founded in 1878 by Jean Daum, is one of France's most famous glassworks, located in Nancy, Lorraine. Under the impetus of his sons, Auguste and Antonin Daum, the glassworks established itself at the turn of the 20th century as a major player in the Art Nouveau movement, alongside such emblematic figures as Émile Gallé. Specializing in engraved, enameled and chased glass creations, Daum stands out for the elegance of its lines, technical innovation and inspiration deeply rooted in nature. Each piece produced by Daum Nancy bears witness to a virtuoso mastery of glassmaking techniques, particularly those of multi-layered glass, often decorated with floral or naturalistic motifs that define the Art Nouveau style. Working closely with talented artists and craftsmen, Daum has pushed back the boundaries of glassmaking. The workshop surrounds itself with sculptors, decorators and master glassmakers who contribute to forging its unique artistic identity. Among them, Jacques Grüber and Henri Bergé played a key role in creating the naturalistic decorations that adorn Daum vases and lamps. Antonin Daum's work is marked by great attention to detail in floral motifs, creating a harmonious dialogue between art and nature. Daum Nancy evolved over time, incorporating elements of the Art Deco movement after the First World War, while remaining true to its craftsmanship. During this period, artists such as Charles Schneider and René Lalique, although working for their own studios, explored similar avenues in the use of glass as a decorative medium, contributing to an increasingly geometric and stylized aesthetic. However, Daum Nancy's works are distinguished by their finesse of execution and their constant quest for technical innovation, notably through the development of "pâte de cristal" glass, a process rediscovered by the company in the 1960s, which has enabled it to remain at the forefront of artistic creation. In short, Daum has established itself as a jewel in the crown of French glassmaking, alongside such contemporaries as Émile Gallé, Gabriel Argy-Rousseau and Maurice Marinot, all of whom helped shape the prestige and originality of the Nancy school of decorative arts.