Thrifting adventures.....

     As a child I always remember peering in my mother's curio cabinet at her collection of tea cups and glass. In the top left corner of one such curio cabinet she had collected a few striking pieces of clear and frosted glass with birds. As I grew I learned that these pieces were manufactured by Renee Lalique and I began to research him.

     Lalique first began designing jewelry in Paris in the year 1881. Furthering his artistic endeavors he began working with glass around 1883 bringing back the "lost wax" technique. As his designs caught on and became sought after he increased his company and industrialized creating a wide range of items from molds such as perfume bottles, animal figures, vases, etc. The company continues to produce beautiful glasswork to this day and earlier pieces are highly sought after.

     Having grown up quite interested in art glass I was very excited when I came upon a small pin tray marked $3 in a thrift shop this week. Though I figured the piece to be reproduction it brought back memories of my mother's own collection, but featured an owl which have always held a special place for me. Upon closer inspection I have come to find that my little pin tray is indeed a piece of Lalique. This $3 find has a value betweet $125-$195. It's amazing the treasures that await on a thrifting adventure!