i 'Suzanne' statuette René Lalique

First made by the Venetians in the 16th century, opalescent glass found its greatest exponent in Frenchman Lalique (1860-1945) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lalique produced numerous press-moulded tablewares, vases and even car mascots but his statuettes are the most consistently sought after. This circa 1925 example, entitled "Suzanne" (most probably in honour of his artist-designer daughter, Suzanne Lalique Haviland), is fashioned in the art deco style. Its opalescence case displays the soft sheen and subtle gradations through translucency to opacity that make his pieces so desirable. $25,000-$30,000.