LALIQUE is found at the home section of Rustan’s, Ayala Center Cebu. For those who are not familiar with the legacy of Lalique, it is easy to pass off these decorative items as expensive home décor.
A closer look, though, at the current Aquatique collection evoked the same feeling in me when I was admiring the glass sculptures at the Victoria and Albert museum in London.
It is quite literally breathtaking, as I find myself holding my breath and being very careful not to move too much and knock something over while I peer at the details of these exquisite pieces.
Apart from expert craftsmanship, what makes every Lalique design so intriguing is the story behind each one. The new Aquatique collection is inspired by the mystery, grace, power and symbolism of the ocean.
A shark sculpture of Persepolis blue crystal embodies the power, speed, and the confidence to move forward and act swiftly.
My personal favorite piece, the standalone fighting fish sculpture, is inspired by the warlike fish native to Southeast Asia which “engage in lethal battles of violent beauty.” Its fins look like they are floating in water, even though this is also fashioned from Persepolis blue crystal.
The fighting fish is also the inspiration for a large crystal bowl, which “plays on reflections and transparencies.”
The mastery of technique and the significance of beyond what meets the eye are what make Lalique pieces not so much just decorative pieces, but brilliantly designed art.
With so much precision and detail in each piece, it is hard to believe that Lalique items are crafted by hand, as the French luxury brand has done with glass and jewelry since being founded in 1888 by Rene Lalique.