Posted 14 years ago
RLapthorne
(2 items)
These items were bequeather to me by a great aunt. The nam P D'Avesn and Made in France on the bottom of the bowls. Can anyone tell me about them please. I believe they are the Art Deco period.
Just beautiful french art deco bowls | ||
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Hi, i know that Pierre D'Avesn worked for Lalique in his early years and then worked for Daum, here is a link that may help you.
http://www.glassencyclopedia.com/Daumglass.html
Hi there,
I have just started collecting D'Avesn labelled items and have found out a few things. Pierre D'Avesn refers to the glass artist/designer Pierre Girre (1901-1990). Pierre was trained at Lalique and was apprenticed to Rene Lalique from the age of 14 until he left the Lalique company around 1925-26.
"Pierre was then employed by Daum to design and supervise production of the Croismare Glassworks near Luneville which Daum took over in 1927 and renamed Verreries D'Art Lorrain. The purpose of buying this factory was to compete with Lalique and others for the lucrative market of Department Stores and large-scale retailers, particularly in the USA." (http://www.glassencyclopedia.com/Daumglass.html)
"Art glass produced by Daum for this market, either at the Lorrain glassworks or another one they called "Verreries de Belle-Etoile" was signed either "P.d'Avesn" or "Lorrain" or "Val" (company initials), or "Verreries de Belle-Etoile" (if it came from the other factory). Pierre D'Avesn stayed with Daum until they closed their Lorrain factory in 1932 due to the slump in the US market and the impact on art glass sales caused by the depression. "
(http://www.glassencyclopedia.com/Daumglass.html)
The death of Antonin Daum in 1931 led to the closure of these factories with consolidation of the company after his death.
Pieces labeled "D'Avesn France/Paris" can only come from this time period. At no other time was this label used so you can guarantee that if the piece is signed it is from the period 1926/27-end of 1931/start of 1932. Items stamped "D'Avesn" are usually made with the pressed glass method. Designs range from the many simple commercial prices to the art glass style pieces in small numbers. It is also known the Daum company during this period provided glassware to some cruise ship lines some of which was under the "D'Avesn" line. These pieces are usually numbered.
From my research there are three types of D'Avesn glass.
1. Clear/coloured transparent glass with geometric art deco motifs
2. Opalescent glass in simple patterns & more elaborate animal designs
3. Colored translucent/frosted glass usually with highly stylized patterns and motifs (plants and animals). These items are more rare and on the higher end.
Daum during this period experimented with the use of glass and metal combinations. Their "VAL" (verreries art lorrain) line used iron in the formation of peices. Those in the "D'Avesn" line sometimes include those with wrought iron baskets/handles which surround and support the glassware. A lot of the items for sale today are the glass items with the metal part missing (about half the items on eBay) and most people wouldn't know unless you've seen what it should look like. Even rarer are items which are combined with silver. The metalwork used on these items was always done by a separate company, rarely is the metalwork signed. D'avesn items of this period are always signed (there were a lot of imitators in the 1930s after the factory closed and these are sometimes incorrectly attributed)
Collecting D'Avesn items are very exciting as there is a plethora of designs which can be picked up cheaply every now and again. Considering that the items are really made by the Daum factory is really exciting, as most are not aware that this is the case. The other great thing is that you can always be sure of the date.
Thank you Andrew, your research has been quite extensive and very informative. You have inspired me to look for further pieces. Similar to what I have already.