Elite Traveler May-June 2018

DISCOVER

elite traveler MAY/JUNE 2018 46

Design A soaring celebration

We love… Don Giovanni magazine rack Taking inspiration from the sets designed by Barnaba Fornasetti for the recent Milanese staging of Mozart’s Don Giovanni opera, this surrealist magazine rack references the iconic mani decoration on classic Piero Fornasetti objects. Expertly crafted from solid wood, it’s a bold addition to any living room (and a great place to store copies of Elite Traveler ). $1,600, amara.com

One hundred and thirty years ago in Paris, René Lalique registered his hallmark — his initials and a stylized sword —and began engraving it into the unique gold jewelry he created in his workshop. The French designer quickly gained a reputation for his skill and experimental style; Lalique shunned the trends of the time and instead favored materials for their power, light and color, regardless of whether they were precious or not. He combined gold and gemstones with semiprecious stones, mother-of-pearl, ivory and horn. Over the next few decades, further experiments saw Lalique devote himself to other mediums, creating works of art from glass and crystal to huge acclaim. He was inspired by flora and fauna, and most notably by the delicate form of the swallow. This symbol of happiness and freedom is a reoccurring character in his work, often seen as the centerpiece of many jewels and decorative objects. The firm is celebrating this dainty bird and its 130th anniversary in the namesake Hirondelles collection. We visited the Lalique flagship store in London’s Soho to toast the occasion and take a sneak peek at the collection (as well as nibble on almost-too-pretty-to-eat macaroons dusted with edible gold). The main attraction was a grand 15in-tall gold- stamped glass vase depicting swallows flying, their finely chiseled feathers spread in motion. Like many of the items in the collection, the vase is limited to 130 pieces, marking the 1 years. The most intriguing works on display were wall sculptures of the birds in various stages of flight. The delicate sapphire-blue or clear crystal swallows, each about 6in long, were magnetically held to a wall before our host gently pulled them off and then attached them to a glass table, bringing th sculptures to life as they ‘flew’ from location to location. 30 e

Swallow wall sculptures in sapphire blue crystal $875 per piece, lalique.com

Hirondelles grand vase in clear crystal with gold stamping. Limited to 130 pieces $18,000, lalique.com

TAKE THREE/// TABLE MANNERS

Throwing a dinner party? Make sure your dining table is as elegantly dressed as you are with these special pieces

PAULA 7000 DRINK SET MOSER This exquisite glassware line from the historic Bohemian house Moser features an Art Nouveau design from 1902 with a golden etching of two entwined stems with thorns and leaves. The collection is handblown from ecologically friendly lead-free crystal, and each item is hand-cut and polished to a high gloss, with a hand-gilded 24K rim. From$385 per piece, moser-glass.com

CANNES PRECIEUX COLLECTION PUIFORCAT

AEGEAN COLLECTION L’OBJET L’Objet’s Aegean

Jean Puiforcat created the pretty Cannes pattern in 1928 to grace the tables at his own wedding. Inspired by the facade of the Côte d’Azur’s Hôtel Martinez, Puiforcat combined minimalism and opulence in his timeless design. Now, 90 years later, the silverware pattern has been revitalized with handles set with onyx, jasper, jade or lapis lazuli, crafted in the same fashion as haute couture jewelry. From $1,850 per piece, puiforcat.com

dinnerware collection is inspired by the Greco- Roman treasures of the ancient world. The name is derived from the Greek word aiges , meaning ‘waves. Made from Limoges porcelain with 24K gold, the intricately detailed pieces are decidedly mermaid-esque. When stacked ontop of eachother, the pieces make waves all their own. From $108 per piece, l-objet.com

Words Samantha Coles. Photo Lalique SA