This swelling cylindrical vase in frosted glass, molded in low relief by French glass designer René Jules Lalique, was inspired by Greek mythology. According to Greek mythology, the Danaïdes were the fifty daughters of Danaus forced by their uncle Aegyptus to marry their fifty cousins. On their wedding night, all but one of the sisters were compelled by their father to murder their respective husbands. In the Greek underworld, their punishment was to forever carry water, but with urns riddled with holes. Despite the bleak subject, René Lalique's design suggests demure grace and beauty: a progression of six female figures in various poses pouring polished streams of water from shoulder height urns.

Adapted from

Kevin W. Tucker, DMA unpublished material.

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