A practical guide to Galle furniture.
http://www.kunstpedia.com/articles/318/1/A-practical-guide-to-Galle-furniture/Page1.html
Esveld, Tiny
Gallery Tiny Esveld was established in 1995 by Tiny Esveld. Since that time the business has grown to become a leading specialist in French art nouveau and art deco glass with an emphasis on “Ecole de Nancy” objectsGalerie Tiny Esveld
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By Esveld, Tiny
Published on 29 July 2008
Emile Galle is known over de globe for his glass and to a lesser extent for his furniture. His scientific knowledge and the love for nature can be found back in
the pieces he made in wood and glass. His talent was recognised by his
father Charles Galle when he was appointed artistic director of the
firm in 1867. In the beginning, his first period, he was influenced by different
other styles. A mixture of styles : Renaissance, Louis xv, Rococo and
others, a historic mixture showing the first small signs with Art
Nouveau characteristics. 1885-1895
Emile Galle is known over the globe for his glass and to a lesser extent for his furniture. In this article I will explain the differences between the three types of furniture as made by Galle.
Emile Galle was born in Nancy in France on May 4th 1846. His parents owned a famous shop in Nancy specialised in crystal and porcelain. They ordered crystal from Burgun and Schverer in Meisenthal and porcelain from different firms throughout France. On their own premises they decorated the objects, by cutting and engraving the crystal or painting the porcelain. The firm employed about 20 workmen in 1873 and were amongst others supplier of the emperor Napoleon III, of which they were very proud.
This proves to say that Emile Galle was born into a wealthy and highly succesful family. He was offered the opportunity to travel and study as he liked. He fell in love with nature and formed his own botanical collection. In the botanical garden in Nancy, which still exists, he studied the flora of all seasons. He furthermore grew all kinds of rare specimens in the family garden.
His scientific knowledge and the love for nature can be found back in the pieces he made in wood and glass. His talent was recognised by his father Charles Galle when he was appointed artistic director of the firm in 1867.
One of the earliest Bedroomcabinets made by Galle. Straight lines with a little carving and marquetrie of the iris flower.
In the beginning, his first period, he was influenced by different other styles. A mixture of styles : Renaissance, Louis xv, Rococo and others, a historic mixture showing the first small signs with Art Nouveau characteristics. 1885-1895
In 1885 Emile Galle started to work with wood. like with his glass objects he drew the design himself, decided on what kind of wood would be used, managed the production, examined the first try-outs and finally under his instructions his labour manufactured the piece.
Rare chair. The lower part is typical Elzas, 18th and 19th century, the top part is typical art nouveau. Notice the thistle flower on top.
The national flower of Lorraine.
The first pieces of furniture produced were smaller pieces. Small tables and pedestals just to place a vase on. As Emile Galle explained himself, he was dissatisfied with the presentation of his vases during exhibitions. This was the reason for him to start producing his own furniture. The glass vase with the pedestal on which it was displayed was then in complete harmony.
One of the earliest signatures. Full name and town. Emile Galle, Nancy. Later on they use just “Galle”.
Furniture from this period has very little carving. The marquetery is sometimes coloured to get a better effect, which was later on abandoned. Subtle reds and green just to highlight a flower or a leaf. His signature in this period is hot-branded or engraved: Emile Galle Nancy. The types of wood he used were domestic types such as oak, nut and fruitwood. The scenes on the tables could be historical like that of Jeanne D’arc. Or scenes of Lorraine, the rooster or the thistle, the national flowers of the province Lorraine.
Small unusual “bonheur du jour” for letters and papers. Marqueterie with flowers and butterflies. Galle loved butterflies.
Or just ordinary flowers and birds from the region. In this period you would sometimes find short lines of text included in the marqueterie. On the vases this has a name: “verrerie parlante” - Talking glass. For woodwork there is no such expression. Most of the work is signed, except bedchambers and chairs.
Detail of the butterflies
Emile Galle was born in Nancy in France on May 4th 1846. His parents owned a famous shop in Nancy specialised in crystal and porcelain. They ordered crystal from Burgun and Schverer in Meisenthal and porcelain from different firms throughout France. On their own premises they decorated the objects, by cutting and engraving the crystal or painting the porcelain. The firm employed about 20 workmen in 1873 and were amongst others supplier of the emperor Napoleon III, of which they were very proud.
This proves to say that Emile Galle was born into a wealthy and highly succesful family. He was offered the opportunity to travel and study as he liked. He fell in love with nature and formed his own botanical collection. In the botanical garden in Nancy, which still exists, he studied the flora of all seasons. He furthermore grew all kinds of rare specimens in the family garden.
His scientific knowledge and the love for nature can be found back in the pieces he made in wood and glass. His talent was recognised by his father Charles Galle when he was appointed artistic director of the firm in 1867.
One of the earliest Bedroomcabinets made by Galle. Straight lines with a little carving and marquetrie of the iris flower.
In the beginning, his first period, he was influenced by different other styles. A mixture of styles : Renaissance, Louis xv, Rococo and others, a historic mixture showing the first small signs with Art Nouveau characteristics. 1885-1895
In 1885 Emile Galle started to work with wood. like with his glass objects he drew the design himself, decided on what kind of wood would be used, managed the production, examined the first try-outs and finally under his instructions his labour manufactured the piece.
Rare chair. The lower part is typical Elzas, 18th and 19th century, the top part is typical art nouveau. Notice the thistle flower on top.
The national flower of Lorraine.
The first pieces of furniture produced were smaller pieces. Small tables and pedestals just to place a vase on. As Emile Galle explained himself, he was dissatisfied with the presentation of his vases during exhibitions. This was the reason for him to start producing his own furniture. The glass vase with the pedestal on which it was displayed was then in complete harmony.
One of the earliest signatures. Full name and town. Emile Galle, Nancy. Later on they use just “Galle”.
Furniture from this period has very little carving. The marquetery is sometimes coloured to get a better effect, which was later on abandoned. Subtle reds and green just to highlight a flower or a leaf. His signature in this period is hot-branded or engraved: Emile Galle Nancy. The types of wood he used were domestic types such as oak, nut and fruitwood. The scenes on the tables could be historical like that of Jeanne D’arc. Or scenes of Lorraine, the rooster or the thistle, the national flowers of the province Lorraine.
Small unusual “bonheur du jour” for letters and papers. Marqueterie with flowers and butterflies. Galle loved butterflies.
Or just ordinary flowers and birds from the region. In this period you would sometimes find short lines of text included in the marqueterie. On the vases this has a name: “verrerie parlante” - Talking glass. For woodwork there is no such expression. Most of the work is signed, except bedchambers and chairs.
Detail of the butterflies
The second period. Splendid Art nouveau . 1895-1904
Around 1900 there are 300 men and women work for him. It is his most creative period. Elaborate marqueterie with often more then 25 different types of wood. Wood from exotics, such as riopalisander, bubinga, sequoia, mahogany and he even used mother of pearl in the famous bed Aube et Crepuscule which was made in 1904. During this period he used elaborated sculpture elements in his furniture.
The form very often asymmetric, as nothing in nature is symmetric. Cabinets have moving parts such as doors and drawers. Legs shaped as flower buds or body parts of animals like frog legs. His most famous examples is the dragonfly table. The legs of the table being shaped as an enormous dragonfly.
Signature of the art nouveau period. These signatures are different all the time.
This is an average example of how it can be. Next to the signature you see the beloved dragonflies.
By this time his furniture had lost its purpose to serve as an pedestal to display his vases. It gained it’s own purpose and was presented as a furniture piece on it’s own. Artistic, exclusive and therefore expensive. Much to Emile Galle’s regret as he wanted to make art for everybody. This motivated him to make more affordable smaller tables, small side tables and tables qigong’s in series. This in order to reduce productions costs and make it more affordable man. Of course these tables were also handmade, so not one was identical.
On the 23rd of September 1904 Emile Galle died leaving behind a wife and four daughters. They continued the business and kept to his designs up until Art Nouveau came out of fashion and this style period came to an end.
Around 1900 there are 300 men and women work for him. It is his most creative period. Elaborate marqueterie with often more then 25 different types of wood. Wood from exotics, such as riopalisander, bubinga, sequoia, mahogany and he even used mother of pearl in the famous bed Aube et Crepuscule which was made in 1904. During this period he used elaborated sculpture elements in his furniture.
 Table with historic influences. The top is attached to the bottom. |  Early table. Straight legs.Very lovely shape of the top. First influence of art nouveau |
The form very often asymmetric, as nothing in nature is symmetric. Cabinets have moving parts such as doors and drawers. Legs shaped as flower buds or body parts of animals like frog legs. His most famous examples is the dragonfly table. The legs of the table being shaped as an enormous dragonfly.
Signature of the art nouveau period. These signatures are different all the time.
This is an average example of how it can be. Next to the signature you see the beloved dragonflies.
 Sculptural element. Highlight of art nouveau characteristic. Fluid lines of a water plant used as a support of the étagère. |  Étagère with all the
art nouveau characteristics. Asymmetric, marqueterie of a flight of
dragonflies, a waterscenery with waterlilies. |
It is in this period he produced some of his most well-known pieces. The kingfisher cabinet, dragonfly tables, ladies writing desk with frogs and butterflies, buffets and music cabinets and the ultimate piece without doubt, the bed 'Aube et Crepuscule'. Most furniture now found in the market is from this particular period.
 Sculptural element of a water lily bud. Next to this you see it being repeated in the marqueterie. |  Waterlily table. the legs are made in the form of the waterplants. the top of the table is carved like a leaf which curls. No straight lines to be detected. |
On the 23rd of September 1904 Emile Galle died leaving behind a wife and four daughters. They continued the business and kept to his designs up until Art Nouveau came out of fashion and this style period came to an end.
 Close up of the kingfisher |  The kingfisher cabinet. Much carving and as highlight the carving of a bird. Up till now the only bird we know off that Galle carved. In the back again a flight of dargonflies and a waterscenery. |
The third period. Art deco. 1904-1931
It was only ten year after the death of the master, that his wife died and the firm was left to the four daughters. Up and until 1914 they had continued using Galle’s original designs and added new Art Deco creations. It is therefore difficult to determine whether an Art Nouveau object, be it glass or wood, is before or after the death of Galle in 1904. With regard to the glass objects, and particularly the vases, production was continued using designs of other artists. Well known designers as Paul Nicolas, Auguste Herbst, Louis Hestaux, Emile Lang, Victor Prouve and Emile Levy
An art deco example of a Galle signature In “Egyptian” style. Signature on the lotus table.
During this period they produced blown-out vases, a technique whereby the glass is blown into a mould. Famous examples are the Rhododendron and the Elephant vase. In the same period of time very attractive designed Art Deco tables were produced like the polar bear table and the lotus table with Egyptian influence. The tables have straight legs and the fluid lines have disappeared. The signature on the lotus table is in a cartouche, which is taken from the Egyptian symbolism and some of the tables and cabinets have geometric designs. These Art Deco tables are very rare and only few have been recorded and published in books. A lot of research still remains to be done. The marqueterie of these tables have been made with absolute extraordinary craftsmanship and the wood used was especially selected because of its grain and colour.
When you are interested in purchasing a piece of Galle furniture, there are a few questions one has to ask ones self.
When a piece is incomplete such as for example a missing or replaced tabletop the only advice you should follow is not to buy. The object is incomplete and therefore not in its original state.
Last but certainly not least are the fakes that are being offered in the market. All you have to do is google and are offered dragonfly tables and other small tables. Be aware and always look for the refinement of the marqueterie and the different types of woods being used. Unrefined crudely constructed objects are sure to be fakes. So when in doubt…..do not purchase. A real piece is breathtakingly beautiful. So if you are not overwhelmed with beauty and the workmanship of the object, the piece is not yours and should be avoided from buying.
It was only ten year after the death of the master, that his wife died and the firm was left to the four daughters. Up and until 1914 they had continued using Galle’s original designs and added new Art Deco creations. It is therefore difficult to determine whether an Art Nouveau object, be it glass or wood, is before or after the death of Galle in 1904. With regard to the glass objects, and particularly the vases, production was continued using designs of other artists. Well known designers as Paul Nicolas, Auguste Herbst, Louis Hestaux, Emile Lang, Victor Prouve and Emile Levy
An art deco example of a Galle signature In “Egyptian” style. Signature on the lotus table.
During this period they produced blown-out vases, a technique whereby the glass is blown into a mould. Famous examples are the Rhododendron and the Elephant vase. In the same period of time very attractive designed Art Deco tables were produced like the polar bear table and the lotus table with Egyptian influence. The tables have straight legs and the fluid lines have disappeared. The signature on the lotus table is in a cartouche, which is taken from the Egyptian symbolism and some of the tables and cabinets have geometric designs. These Art Deco tables are very rare and only few have been recorded and published in books. A lot of research still remains to be done. The marqueterie of these tables have been made with absolute extraordinary craftsmanship and the wood used was especially selected because of its grain and colour.
A nest of tables with geometric design. Rare design. Up till now never published in books before. Many exotic woodwork
A smart
art deco example of Galle furniture. the lotus flowers in marqueterie
with the nile flowing in the background. The shape of the legs as a
stylised lotusflower. The top perfectly round shape. No nature form.
When you are interested in purchasing a piece of Galle furniture, there are a few questions one has to ask ones self.
- What is the general condition or state of the object?
- Has it been restored?
- Have new parts been fitted to the object ?
- Is the object complete or is there something missing?
- Are the mounts original ?
- Are the feet/legs original?
Close up of the biggest of the nest of tables. With the polarbear.
Straight side , rectangular top. Spectacular example of Galle art deco furniture.
When a piece is incomplete such as for example a missing or replaced tabletop the only advice you should follow is not to buy. The object is incomplete and therefore not in its original state.
Last but certainly not least are the fakes that are being offered in the market. All you have to do is google and are offered dragonfly tables and other small tables. Be aware and always look for the refinement of the marqueterie and the different types of woods being used. Unrefined crudely constructed objects are sure to be fakes. So when in doubt…..do not purchase. A real piece is breathtakingly beautiful. So if you are not overwhelmed with beauty and the workmanship of the object, the piece is not yours and should be avoided from buying.
© Tiny Esveld