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Marius Ernest Sabino 1878 - 1961
More than half a century has passed since the production of this style
of glass was at its peak. During the twenties and thirties there had
been a large group of artificers of glass, among them Rene Lalique,
Sabino, Etling, Hunebelle, D'Avesn, Verlys and Jobling. Of these, two
emerged as the most prolific and best- Lalique and Sabino.
Portrait of Marius Sabino taken March 12, 1925
(Private collection - Houston Texas USA)
With the onset of the second world war, there were great changes in
the techniques of glass production. As the costs of hand produced work
escalated, this beautiful glass became a rare part of history and the
preserve of collectors.
Marius Sabino was born in Sicily in 1878, and with his family moved
to France while he was still a young boy. His father, a sculptor of
wood, trained him to follow in his steps.
He would go on to study at L'Ecole Nationale des Arts Decoratifs and
the Beaux Arts de Paris, where he became particularly interested in the
challenges that the advent of electricity would have on glass
manufacture. It was through electric lights that Sabino came to the
production of glass. In fact, on his return from the first World War
(where he had joined as a volunteer), he founded a factory which
manufactured traditional lights fittings of wood or bronze and then
quickly changed to glass.
He realized the enormous potential of the new techniques which made
it possible to create the perfect moulds for a unique translucent
material. By pouring this material into the moulds, he created beautiful
relief in very precise and exciting designs. The glass of the chandelier
was no longer part of the design-it was the principal component. His
chandeliers, which were often monumental in size, were made to
compliment the architecture of the day.
Painting by Marius Ernest Sabino circa 1920
(Private Collection - Houston Texas
USA)
In 1925, Sabino created an opalescent glass with a blue hue and
iridescent impressions of either clouds in a blue sky, light striking a
soap bubble or a reflection from water surface.
He designed and made special lighting for luxury liner the isle de
France in 1927, and a lighted fountain column for the Grand Salon of
Normandy in 1935.
Apart from the chandeliers, he created a multitude of vases and
decorative objects, making great use of his expertise as a sculptor. In
particular, busts and statues of women, and an exceptionally large range
of animals with stylized features-sometimes in extraordinary large
sizes. For example, in 1931 he created a large fish in a limited
edition, two of which were bought by Josephine Baker and Maurice
Chevalier. For his vases and plates he used natural themes, often with
animals (particularly aquatic creatures) along with friezes of women and
some geometric designs.
Vase La Danse-Gaite
14" x 7" - 36 cm x 18 cm
Using the same motifs, he made many different pieces which could be
used alternatively as paperweights, book ends, plates, and even lamp
shades when mounted on stand.
For Sabino it was possible to create anything in glass! In 1936, he
was commissioned to produce all the electric lights fittings and
chandeliers for the shah of Persia.
During these years, he also exhibited at all the major Salons. For
the 1937 Exposition Universal, he designed an illuminated column. A
Maharaja had even asked him to make a throne of glass, but the outbreak
of World War 11 prevented the completion of that commission. Sabino
recommenced production in 1941 but did not design any new pieces.
Sabino "Groupe de Pantheres" really shows the
fire within ice concept !
© Sabino Crystal Company
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