Finding Lalique's lost wax casts

The cire perdue (or lost wax) technique was commonly used for casting bronze, but Lalique discovered it worked equally well for the making of glass. The process involves creating a model in wax that melts as molten metal or glass is poured into the mould.

Cire perdue glass is characterised by the absence of mould marks and often irregular and textured surfaces punctuated by lines caused by cooling. Typically, fingerprints are also visible, providing a direct link to the artist.

Between 1913 and 1932, Lalique (with the input of the sculptor Maurice Bergelin) executed nearly 650 glass vases, bowls and decorative objects using this technique. Occasionally half a dozen casts might be made but the majority of objects were one-offs.

The six lots of cire perdue here are topped by a trio of vases – among the most desirable of all Lalique glass pieces.

Guided at £30,000-50,000 is a 7in sepia stained vase titled Frise Anemone Ajournees designed in 1921 that features a frieze of anemones to the base while the Deux Grenouilles vase from 1912 modelled with two frog heads as handles is pitched at £25,000-35,000.

Algues et Flots featuring five bands of aquatic weeds and air bubbles designed 1919 has an estimate of £20,000-25,000.

Lalique red with yellow casing and white stained Acanthes vase designed in 1921. Estimate £6000-8000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Lalique cire perdue Algues et Flots vase from 1919. Estimate £20,000-30,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Lalique cire perdue Frise Anemone Ajournees vase from 1921. Estimate £30,000-50,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Lalique deep turquoise and white-stained Perruches vase designed in 1919. Estimate £8000-12,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Lalique cased opalescent and sepia-stained Picardie vase designed in 1927. Estimate £15,000-20,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.