Sideboard-Shelf, Émile Gallé

Here is this article about a sideboard shelf one of Émile Gallé’s famous designs. He was a significant designer in the Art nouveau era. He was also a leading figure in other applied arts. He used natural forms and undulating patterns to produce flat panels for cabinets and furniture. At that time, the Arts and Crafts movement and the Japanese art principles influenced many artists. They were motivated to use delicate shapes in woodworking and materials such as walnut, rosewood, pearwood and teak.

The interaction between design and manufacturing unites the aesthetics features and the consumer needs. Émile Gallé organized a prosperous business that resulted in broader international success. He trained his designers, managed three hundred employees, manufactured glass and faience glazed ceramic ware and produced exquisite furniture. His company gained artistic recognition and grand prizes in the European expositions and expanded its activities with retailing in cities such as Paris, London and Frankfurt am Main.

Gallé applied veneer pieces to structure decorative patterns, used layers of wood materials to cut, fit and glue them together and formed ornamental surface images. He knew how to create light colours from walnut and dark shades from trees like mahogany. Émile Gallé chose specific woods for their distinctive grains and patterns and used marquetry techniques to create beautiful, elaborate furniture pieces.

Title: Hogweed pattern- Sideboard-shelf
Date of creation: Around 1902
Materials and technique: Walnut and various wood marquetry
Dimensions: height in cm: 157; width in cm: 92.8; thickness in cm: 38.7
Location: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon

Get more information on this overview page.

Text: Lalerou
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Let us look at another design of his exquisite cabinet making: