Charming small bud vase from the Legras "Rubis" Series, 1910. Positively lovely wine-colored ivy leaves drape and wrap around this soliflore vase. Their form evokes the romantic symbolism of ivy, long associated with fidelity, affection, and lasting bonds that cling and never let go, making this delicate piece not only a beautiful decorative object but also one that quietly whispers of love that persists through time.
Period: Circa 1910
Signed/Maker: Legras (François Théodore Legras), remnants of a paper label on the base.
Origin: France
Size Classification: Small; Cabinet Size
Approximate Dimensions: Height 6 inches, 15 cm; Weight 6 oz.
Decoration: Art Nouveau, Nature-Inspired
Colors: Wine, Pink, Frosted Clear, Peach
Condition: Please note the chip along the side edge of the top opening and on a leaf. Please enlarge and review the images closely.
This vase is distinctive in its size. Most Rubis soliflore vases are known to stand at 16 cm; this example measures slightly shorter at 15 cm. When viewed under angled light, a faint etched “15” appears as a ghost image on the side of the vase, an intriguing detail that possibly denotes its atypical size or production batch.
There is also subtle evidence that a silver collar may have once been affixed to the rim. Some adhesive residue has since been carefully removed through a gentle soaking process. The wine-colored enamel is applied to both the ivy leaves and the rim. A chip along the side edge of the mouth exposes the clear glass beneath the enamel.
Despite the noted imperfections, this piece remains a beautifully crafted example of early 20th-century French glass. It offers strong decorative appeal and a quiet rarity that will complement any refined Art Nouveau collection or interior.
About Legras: François Théodore: Legras was born in 1839 and became one of the leading French glassmakers of his time. He spent his early years in a small hamlet in the heart of the Darney Forest in the Vosges region. Surrounded by the natural beauty of forests, lakes, and wildlife, this environment would later inspire much of his artistic work, which often featured themes from nature, especially the landscapes of the Ourche Valley.
At the age of 20, Legras began working as a clerk at a nearby glassworks. Four years later, he moved to Saint-Denis near Paris, where he joined the Plaine Saint-Denis glassworks as a night clerk. His skill and dedication led to a rapid rise. Within six months, he was promoted to production manager, and by 1866, at the age of 27, he was appointed director of the glassworks.
Under his leadership, the factory expanded significantly. He initiated the construction of a modern manufacturing facility and a residential area for workers, eventually growing the site into an industrial complex of nearly 20,000 square meters. Legras later became the head of Legras et Cie and then of the Verrerie et Cristallerie de Saint-Denis.
Throughout his career, he showcased his glass creations at numerous national and international exhibitions, where he received many awards. In 1900, he was responsible for overseeing the glassware and crystal displays at the Universal Exhibition held in Paris 1900.
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