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French Crystal by Baccarat, Daum and LaliqueThe great French crystal factories of Baccarat (1764) and Saint Louis (1586) were both placed under the protection of his patron saint by Louis XV in the 1760's. Within the next century their cut crystal was among the finest made. The art glass of Galle, Lalique (1909), Daum (1889) added to France's reputation. Lead crystal is made of sand, potash and lead fired at high temperatures, then mouth-blown, molded or machine made. Full lead crystal ("invented" in France in 1781 by Saint Louis) must contain at least 24% lead oxide which gives it brilliance, weight and clarity. Quality is determined by the method (hand or machine), detail of design and finish (cut, etched, engraved). It can be decorated with color by adding oxides or minerals, paint (applied by hand and refired), silk screening (ceramic paint), frost (sandblasting, acid), and hand cutting (vs. molded design). Cutting produces grooves with sharp angles that increase light-reflecting surfaces adding sparkle. Go to: Lalique Crystal, Baccarat Crystal, Daum Crystal, Saint Louis crystal Lalique CrystalSince 1921 Lalique has, from its factory in Alsace, France, produced some of the world's finest works of crystal, pieces that resonate both with the contemporary and the traditional eye.
Daum CrystalGlassmaker Jean Daum, the French crystallerie
known for exotic colors and sinuous lines, began shaping glass in 1878, creating
flowing vessels and figures that symbolized Art Nouveau. Memorable gifts. Each piece
is made
Baccarat CrystalFounded in 1764, Baccarat is renowned the world over for its magnificent and innovative works of crystal. Baccarat has become a national symbol of France's art de vivre, and the company's heritage of excellence in design is matched only by its continuing efforts to cultivate creativity in the next generation of great artists. The Baccarat collection is full of timeless masterpieces, from jewelry to sculptures for the home, which translate beautifully in any language.
Saint Louis crystalThe glassworks of Saint Louis have been crafting the finest crystal coveted by kings, emperors, heads of state, and connoisseurs since 1586. In the province of Lorraine, on the eastern border of France, a region graced with rich sands and expansive forests, Saint Louis flourished. Louis XV placed it under the protection of his patron saint in 1767. Supported by this abundance of natural resources, they were the first to perfect lead crystal in 1781, then being recognized as a crystallerie. They played a central role in the golden age of the 19th century, with major technical and ornamental innovations, all of which are still represented in current pieces. For over 400 years, Saint Louis has continued to hand blow each piece, passing on the technique from generation to generation. Expertly crafted hand cut leaded crystal radiates light achieving exceptional brilliance on each unique piece. Fine design and engraving are enhanced by the precision of the artist’s brush. Due to its delicate nature, hand washing is recommended.
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Copyright © 2016 Last Modified: January 28, 2016 |
