René Lalique

Marcilhac no. 728

Private Collection, California
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Nicholas M. Dawes, Lalique Glass, New York, 1986, p. 71, fig. 139
Patricia Bayer and Mark Waller, The Art of René Lalique, Secaucus, NJ, 1988, p. 116, no. 193 and p. 117, no. 196 (for an example in amber glass)
Marc and Marie-Claude Lalique, Lalique par Lalique, Paris, 1977, p. 198
Martine Dassault, "La Magie Lalique," Décoration Internationale, October 1988, p. 8 
Alastair Duncan, The Encyclopedia of Art Deco, New York, 1988, p. 103
Hiroyoki Itsuki, René Lalique, Kodansha, Japan, 1989, p. 144 (for an example in grey glass)
Félix Marcilhac, René Lalique, Catalogue raisonné de l'Oeuvre de verre, Paris, 2004, p. 372
Eric Knowles, Lalique, Oxford, 2014, p. 84

Overall in very good condition. When viewed in person, the glass presents with a luminous cerulean blue even more vivid than in the catalogue illustration. The glass with few minor surface scratches consistent with age and gentle use. The clock mechanism has been replaced with a battery mechanism. The movement is not guaranteed to run at the time of cataloging and was not tested for accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion. The base is original and presents with a few minor surface scratches and minor rubbing consistent with age and gentle use. A rare opportunity to acquire an extremely important work by Lalique in beautiful condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Le Jour et la Nuit is celebrated today as one of René Lalique's masterworks. The figure of "Day" (male) and "Night" (female) are made light and dark by molding the glass plate in frosted intaglio and bas-relief respectively, combining the artist's characteristic use of neo-classical allegory, exquisite figure modeling and innovative techniques in one timeless design. When released, the clock was Lalique's most expensive timepiece at 3,500 francs. Less than thirty examples of the model are known to exist, the majority in grey glass. Blue glass examples such as the present lot are extremely rare.