Daum: French Art Glass from Nancy
Daum is one of the premier French art glass manufacturers, founded in 1878 by Jean Daum in Nancy, Lorraine. Under the artistic direction of his sons Auguste and Antonin Daum, the factory became a leading force in the Art Nouveau movement alongside their Nancy neighbor Emile Galle. Daum produced exceptional cameo glass, enameled glass, and pate de verre pieces that are today among the most sought-after decorative arts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The factory continues production to this day.
History and Development
- 1878: Jean Daum acquires a glassworks in Nancy, France
- 1891: Sons Auguste and Antonin begin artistic production; first cameo glass pieces created
- 1893-1900: Art Nouveau period; Daum wins prizes at international expositions
- 1900: Grand Prix at the Paris Universal Exposition; Daum achieves international recognition
- 1906-1914: Transition from Art Nouveau to Art Deco styles
- 1920s-1930s: Art Deco period; pate de verre, acid-etched, and mottled glass production
- Post-1945: Crystal production; contemporary pate de verre art glass continues today
Types and Techniques
- Cameo glass: Multi-layered glass with acid-etched and wheel-carved decoration, the most valued category
- Enameled glass: Painted and fired enamel decoration, often combined with gold accents
- Intercalaire: Designs trapped between layers of glass
- Pate de verre: Powdered glass melted in a mold; used extensively in Art Deco period
- Mottled and marbled glass: Colorful, abstract effects achieved through multiple glass colors
- Applied decoration: Hot-applied glass elements creating three-dimensional effects (berries, insects, flowers)
Identification and Marks
- Art Nouveau period: "Daum Nancy" with the Cross of Lorraine, often in gilt or enamel on the base
- Cameo period pieces are signed in the cameo decoration itself
- Art Deco pieces may be etched "Daum Nancy France" with the cross
- Modern production is signed "Daum France" without the "Nancy"
- The Cross of Lorraine is present on virtually all authentic Daum pieces
- Beware of forged signatures on lesser French cameo glass
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small cameo vase (4-6 in.) | $500 - $1,500 | Exceptional subject: $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Enameled glass vase | $800 - $3,000 | Rain or snow scene: $4,000 - $10,000 |
| Large cameo vase (10+ in.) | $2,000 - $8,000 | Museum quality: $10,000 - $40,000+ |
| Cameo lamp with shade | $5,000 - $20,000 | Exceptional: $30,000 - $100,000+ |
| Pate de verre piece (Art Deco) | $300 - $1,500 | Rare form: $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Applied decoration vase | $3,000 - $10,000 | With insects/snails: $15,000 - $50,000+ |
| Miniature cameo (under 3 in.) | $300 - $800 | Fine quality: $1,000 - $2,500 |
Condition Factors
- Cameo decoration must be intact; chips or losses in the carved layers significantly reduce value
- Enameled decoration should be unfaded with no flaking; condition of enamel critically affects value
- Applied elements (berries, insects) are extremely fragile; missing or damaged applications reduce value dramatically
- Internal cracks or fractures are serious defects
- Signatures should be clear and authentic; blurred or suspicious marks require expert examination
- Pate de verre pieces should have no cracks or chips in the molded surface
Collecting Tips
- Daum cameo glass with enameled winter or rain scenes are among the most valuable pieces in all of French art glass
- Pieces with three-dimensional applied elements (berries, snails, insects) command extraordinary premiums
- Art Deco pate de verre offers a more accessible entry point than Art Nouveau cameo glass
- Large cameo lamps with matching shades are the top-tier market performers
- Modern Daum crystal and pate de verre (post-1960) trades at a fraction of the value of Art Nouveau and Art Deco production
- Authentication is essential; sophisticated forgeries exist, particularly of high-value cameo and enameled pieces