Vaas met planten en bomen c. 1900 - 1910

This vase, depicting plants and trees, was made by Daum Frères using glass. The process began by layering different colored molten glass, then acid etching and carving the surface. This took many hours. The resulting vase has a lovely matte surface, with layers of imagery. At the top, a verdant canopy melts into a lavender thicket, with tree trunks rising from the base. The technique involves highly skilled glassworkers, like those at Daum Frères, manipulating heat, acid, and carving tools to achieve painterly effects. The making of this vase speaks to a complex relationship between industrial production and handcraft. Although glassmaking was industrialized at this time, the finishing required a skilled hand, blurring the boundaries between mass production and unique artistry. This piece invites us to reconsider what we value in art and design – the machine or the maker?