vase

Cristallerie de Clichy’s design for an object covered with slices of prefabricated millefiori canes, such as this vase, was called pêle-mêle (pell-mell). The mosaic pattern of polychrome canes of different sizes was laid out and picked up on a bubble of col¬orless glass. Inflating the bubble stretched the individual cane slices to different degrees, depending on the diameter of the bubble and, consequently, the shape of the vase. Most of the canes used to decorate this vase have a blossom-like design. One cane shows the Clichy name inserted as a trademark. The millefiori (thousand flowers) technique dates back to Roman times. At Clichy, it derived from the manufactory’s large and renowned production of paperweights, but few vessels were made in this manner. Those that are known today usually include Clichy’s signature cane. A design drawing of this baluster vase shape is recorded in Clichy ledgers dating from 1845 to 1847 and from 1849 to 1853. However, both of these ledgers indicate that the shape was used for a smaller vase (H. 23 cm, W. 11 cm). The surface decoration of the model depicted in the ledgers is not defined. The actual vases using this model were produced in opaline (translucent white or light blue) glass, in enameled glass, and in glass made with millefiori canes. The Cristallerie de Clichy (1839–1896) excelled in the manufacture of large table settings and paperweights, as well as in the production of decorative pieces in small series. It is famous for its high-quality colorless and translucent glasses, and for its filigree and millefiori techniques. For further reading, see Roland Dufrenne and Jean and Bernard Maës, La Cristallerie de Clichy: Une prestigieuse manufacture du XIXe siècle, Clichy-la-Garenne: Rose de Clichy, 2005, esp. pp. 384–385.