Victor Arwas’ Glass: Art Nouveau to Art Deco is a definitive exploration of the evolution of glass artistry during two of the most transformative periods in decorative arts. Spanning the late 19th century to the early 20th century, this richly illustrated volume examines how glassmakers like Émile Gallé, René Lalique, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Daum Frères bridged the organic fluidity of Art Nouveau with the geometric precision of Art Deco.
Arwas meticulously traces the technical innovations—pâte de verre, iridescent finishes, acid etching—and aesthetic shifts that defined these movements. The book showcases opalescent vases, stained glass lamps, and sculptural tableware, revealing how glass became a medium for both artistic expression and industrial progress. Highlights include Lalique’s automotive mascots, Tiffany’s nature-inspired favrile glass, and the bold chromatic experiments of Czech modernists like Hoffmann and Lötz Witwe.
With scholarly rigor and visual splendor, Arwas captures how glass reflected societal changes: from Art Nouveau’s fascination with flora and femininity to Art Deco’s embrace of speed, technology, and global influences. A must-have for collectors and historians, this book remains the authoritative study of glass’s golden age.
“A luminous journey through light, form, and the fire of creativity.”
