A museum featuring the works of French glassware artist Emile Galle (1846-1904) opened Sunday in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, with about 200 people attending the opening ceremony.
Galle, an art nouveau glassmaker, is popular for his organic style influenced by Japonaiserie, an aesthetic influenced by Japanese motifs.
The museum said its special feature is an exhibition of numerous small Galle objects, including perfume bottles. It is one of largest collection of Galle glassware in Japan.
Among those at the opening ceremony was TV celebrity Dewi Sukarno, better known as Madame Dewi, who is an acquaintance of the museum's curator, Shigeru Enomoto.
"Looking at the beautiful works by Galle is soothing and (gives the viewer) the energy to face the next day," the widow of the late Indonesian leader Sukarno said in a speech.
The museum has two exhibition floors with a total area of about 1,500 sq. meters. Admission is 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for students.
