Exquisite Émile Gallé Marquetry Mural to be Offered at Auction!

Dallas, Texas: Émile Gallé, born in Nancy, France in 1846, was the son of Charles Gallé, who owned a ceramics and glassmaking factory. Early on, young Émile was trained in botany, art, entomology and chemistry, all of which were to serve as major influences later in his life.

"Gallé was an exceptionally important artist in the field of Decorative Arts, and one that greatly influenced later masters like Louis Comfort Tiffany," said Dr. Edmund P. Pillsbury, Managing Director of Fine and Decorative Arts for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Primarily known today for his art glass, Gallé was also a master of woodworking. He was able to apply the principles of marquetry, a technique usually associated with fine woodcraft in which thin strips of veneer are artfully cut to create pleasing designs, to his glasswork, which caused a sensation in both Europe and America at the turn of the 20th century. A leading proponent of the Art Nouveau movement, which perfectly melded his love of both art and nature, Gallé's creative life was, unfortunately, cut short by leukemia at the age of 58."

"Gallé's mastery over wood is amply demonstrated in this exquisite Art Nouveau mural, which depicts a woman picking flowers in a landscape," Pillsbury said. "Measuring a massive 9' x 3.5', the mural is signed, also in inlaid wood, in the lower right corner by the artist. Truly museum-worthy, this exceptional masterwork, which was originally created to hang in Paris' Au Pied du Cochon restaurant, artfully displays Gallé's facility in the painstaking marquetry process."

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the French Marquetry Wood Mural by Emile Gallé, Late Nineteenth Century in their upcoming Signature auction, to be held May 24 & 25, 2006 at their headquarters in Dallas, TX.

The French Marquetry Wood Mural by Émile Gallé, Late Nineteenth Century, bears a pre-auction estimate of $60,000 - $90,000.

A French Marquetry Wood Mural by Émile Gallé, Late Nineteenth Century

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of fine art, antiques, decorative arts, silver and art glass are invited to www.HeritageAuctions.com/FineArt and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Dr. Pillsbury at EPP@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.