This vase, signed by Emile Gallé, is one of a series of three pieces inspired by a unique preparatory sketch, highly influenced by Japanese art. In this piece, the artist recreates a form used in the 1880s for transparent glass vases, this time using an opaque material. This opacity is obtained by introducing dust whilst working the glass paste. In 1898, Gallé patented this decorative technique known as "patine sur cristal et sur verre" (glass and crystal patina).

He achieved other effects by interspersing the layers of glass with air bubbles and silver foil. Gallé put his knowledge of botanical science to good use to produce faithful reproductions of plants and flowers. In this case, these are hazelnut catkins and pasqueflowers, rendered in a heat-applied design, modelled in slight relief. A masterpiece of the museum's Art Nouveau glassware collection, this vase is part of one of the small sets produced by Gallé in the final years of his career and released in a limited edition.