Goblet c. 1900

This enameled goblet was fashioned by Émile Gallé, a master of French glass artistry. Notice how the golden crosses encircle the rim, drawing the eye to the vessel's opening. The cross motif is far from new. It has appeared in various forms across cultures, from ancient solar symbols to heraldic emblems of power. Here, the stylized crosses, rendered in lustrous enamel, may evoke a sense of tradition and spirituality. The blue crosses, interspersed with palmette patterns, create a dance of order and fluidity, perhaps reflecting the complex interplay between faith and nature. Observe how the palmettes, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian and Greek designs, flank the crosses. What do they tell us? As these age-old emblems intertwine, they spark a dialogue between epochs, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural memory. This goblet is not merely a drinking vessel; it is a vessel of symbols, resonating with echoes of the past.