A circa 1938 R. Lalique hobnail vase in the "Cactus" pattern, bottom is acid etched "Rotterdam Lloyd, Royal Dutch Mail, R. Lalique France." This piece was one of 5,000 made as promotional gifts for first class passengers of the Rotterdam Lloyd Shipping Company. For the ladies he designed a perfume bottle, for the men a paperweight. In 1938, 5,000 Cactus perfume bottles and 5,000 paperweights were delivered in Rotterdam. However in May 1940, when WWII started, most of Rotterdam was destroyed and only a few bottles survived the bombardment. The ones that did survive the war were later transformed into pansies vases such as this piece (they cut off the bottlenecks). This rare attractive piece with an interesting history measures 2.75" tall X 3.25" across.

Very Good Condition. Non detracting age flea bites noted on rim.