Lalique - Bison Crystal Sculpture

Overview
Lalique France clear and frosted crystal Bison sculpture, a compact and powerful animal study derived from Rene Lalique's celebrated 1931 design. The bison is modeled with its head lowered and weight carried forward, giving the small sculpture an unusual sense of mass and movement. Frosted surfaces define the coat, head, and muscular body, while the clear integral rectangular base provides a crisp architectural counterpoint. The combination of satin and polished crystal is characteristic of Lalique's approach to sculptural glass, using changes in surface treatment to control light rather than relying on applied color.

Style: Art Deco.
Medium: Clear and frosted crystal.
Origin: France.

Dating / Background
Rene Lalique introduced the Bison model in 1931. This example is a later Lalique France crystal production, consistent with postwar examples and the 1960s dating of the prior listing. After Rene Lalique's death in 1945, Marc Lalique led the house into an era increasingly identified with full crystal production while continuing important earlier designs. The Bison preserves the forceful geometry and naturalistic animal modeling associated with Lalique's Art Deco vocabulary.

Why Collect
Lalique animal sculptures combine recognizable subjects with the technical effects that made the house internationally important: molded relief, selective frosting, polished crystal, and careful manipulation of transmitted and reflected light. The Bison has particular visual authority for its size. Its lowered head, broad shoulders, and textured mane give the sculpture a monumental quality that works equally well as a cabinet object, desk sculpture, or focused addition to a collection of French decorative arts. The design also carries direct historical interest because its origins reach back to Rene Lalique's prewar production rather than being a wholly later model.

Dimensions (inches)
- Height: 3 7/8
- Width: 4 5/8
- Depth: 1 3/4

Condition
Very good condition overall. A micro nick is present on one corner of the base; in natural light it appears as a small white dot or faint bubble-like point. Light mossing is visible inside the base, consistent with age. No cracks, repairs, or significant surface abrasions were noted. Please review the photographs, which form an important part of the condition description.