Lalique Merles et Raisins Bottle Holder

The Merles et Raisins bottle holder is an elegant piece of functional and practical furniture crafted by Lalique in transparent crystal. In 1928, René Lalique designed the Merles et Raisins Head Down and Head Up ornaments in pressed glass with engraving on a silver background to embellish the Cuban mahogany wood of the presidential compartment of the famous Orient Express. The Merles et Raisins design evokes a style synonymous with refinement and "Art de Vivre," depicting a scene where blackbirds peck at small bunches of grapes. The intricacy of the ornamentation, highlighted by the transparency of the crystal, creates light effects that animate and lend dynamism to the object. These decorations have been subsequently adapted to enhance this bottle holder. The design is not just an aesthetic extension but also functional, thoughtfully crafted to hold the bottle securely and elegantly, safeguarding it while simultaneously enhancing its presentation.