Lucien Gaillard (1861-1942)
beetle humidor or cigarette box
France
pine parcel-gilt, mixed metals on bronze
pyrographic signature, Cleveland Museum of Art tag inside
4 9/16"w x 3 3/4"d x 3 1/8"h

Provenance:
The Ira Simon Collection, Chicago, Illinois

Catalog Note:
Lucien Gaillard was a French goldsmith and jeweler who created beautiful Art Nouveau style jewelry and objects. He was born into a family of jewelers, apprenticing under his father, before taking over the family's business in 1892. His workshop produced a variety of items, from vases, hair combs, pins and pendants to more traditional jewelry. Gaillard was immensely interested in Japanese artwork. He was often inspired by animals, florals and insects. Creatures commonly used in his designs were bees, butterflies, dragonflies and snakes. Gaillard would only use one motif for each item he designed. Through the encouragement of his friend René Lalique, Gaillard refocused his attention on creating jewelry around the turn of the 20th century. Like Lalique, Gaillard would incorporate unusual materials into his designs, such as horn or ivory, and combine them with gold and precious stones.

Beetle with original patina, some surface dirt and tarnish to silver in areas. A long age split to bottom-right quadrant and a small age crack to upper-left quadrant of lid. Interior with divided insert. Faint remnants of gilt to the wood in between the dark grains in areas throughout. Two stickers affixed to the inside interior. The Cleveland Museum of Art sticker is loose. Incised signature to edge of lid on front-left corner. Some expected shelf wear.