René Lalique (1860-1945) began his career as a Paris jewelry designer. His choice of graphic elements, incorporating themes and objects from nature, was well timed with the Art Nouveau movement.

By 1900 he was a celebrated jeweler with a loyal following and had begun experimenting with glass making. When perfumer François Coty invited him to make bottles & labels, Lalique was propelled into large scale manufacturing. He would eventually employ over 600 workers at his factory in Alsace.

In addition to vases, whatnot boxes, inkwells, clocks, candlesticks, ashtrays, humidors, cigarette boxes, decanter sets, perfume bottles and mascots / hood ornaments , Lalique produced decorative architectural glass and lighting.

The Alsace facility is said to be largely unchanged. Production is carried on by Lalique's granddaughter, Marie-Claude. For a look at Lalique products today, the English version of their website can be found here.