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THE MAGAZINE DECIPHERING
Before being re-cut with the wheel, this spider's web was
delineated in acid, like the rest of the orchid, leaf and bee
decoration. This technique, which appeared in 1892, enabled
the glass to be dug out chemically down to the layer
corresponding to the colour chosen for the motif. Tar was
applied to the parts requiring protection from the hydrofluoric
acid used to bring out the designs in the reserve. This method
was rapid, and had the advantage that it could be used for
mass-production.
Wheel engraving is delicate work performed
by hand, reserved for the most prestigious
pieces, or to perfect a decoration already
delineated by acid etching. The wheel
hammers the surfaces, refining them by
wearing them away. The wheels, made of
copper or lead, come in varying diameters
enabling extremely precise work. They are
covered in grinding paste, and eat through
the coloured layers, using the cameo method,
employed in the glyptic arts since Antiquity.
104 GAZETTE DROUOT INTERNATIONAL I N° 23
Rustic or exotic, flowers were
very much in vogue, especially
orchids. However, at the
beginning of the century, critics
began pointing out the risks of
too close an imitation of nature
based on botanic illustrations.
In their view, it limited the
ornamental quality of objects,
where a freer type of inspiration
would have been even more
decorative. Things did not
change in this respect, and Art
Nouveau was eventually
denigrated for its triviality less
than ten years after its
apotheosis.