The set of jewels, drawings, objets d¿art and glassware acquired by the Collector directly from the artist, with a single exception, between 1899 and 1927, is well representative of Lalique¿s work. René Lalique (1860-1945) and Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955) shared the experience of a time marked by the fascinating transition of the so-called Belle Époque ¿ with its particular end-of-the-century spirit, present mainly on the remarkable set of Art Nouveau works. Both men were tied by friendship and mutual consideration, well evidenced in the words of the Collector: ¿My admiration for his unique work increased throughout the fifty years our friendship lasted¿ I am proud to own, I believe, the largest number of Lalique¿s works¿¿.