One of the world’s foremost crystal manufacturers, Baccarat has long been emblematic of luxury and exquisite craftsmanship. Starting in the early 19th century, objects produced by the French company — from stemware to chandeliers to brightly colored paperweights — became a staple of noble and wealthy households across Europe and as far afield as India. Along with the purity and quality of their glass, Baccarat crystal makers can boast a remarkable fluency with a range of design styles — from cut-glass neoclassical pieces to sinuously etched Art Nouveau designs.
Baccarat began as a kind of industrial development project. In 1764, the Bishop of Metz and other landowners in heavily forested northeastern France persuaded Louis XV to sanction a glassworks in the area — timber being a key resource required for the furnaces used in glass production.
In its early years the company produced humble products such as window panes and simple drinking glasses. In 1816 a new owner began making crystal, and seven years later Louis XVIII — who had taken the throne after the defeat of Napoleon — gave Baccarat its first royal commission, for tableware. In the ensuing years, an estimated one-third of the company’s workforce was dedicated to commissions to the Russian imperial court alone.
Spurred by the intense competition between global industries in the latter 19th century — fought in public view in the many world expositions of the era — Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat, as it had finally become known, elevated its level of artistry by adopting new technologies and creating a rigorous training program. The firm broadened its stylistic range, embracing Asian influences and new engraving methods, and increasing production of its now iconic millefiori paperweights.
The designer Georges Chevalier, who worked for Baccarat for more than five decades beginning in 1916, ushered the company into the realm of modernist design. In recent years, Baccarat has employed such renowned contemporary designers as Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders, ensuring that Baccarat crystal will continue to enjoy pride of place on up-to-date tables. But as you will see from the offerings on these pages, Baccarat has items to suit any taste.
Find antique Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat furniture and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
$13,152Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.31 in Dm 31.5 in
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms. Six E 14 light bulbs.
Crystal, Bronze
$99,850Sale Price|31% Off
H 76 in Dm 53 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Crystal Chandelier, Baccarat Attr
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th century Louis XV Style gilt bronze, crystal and cut-glass Twenty-Four-light chandelier, probably by Baccarat. The central molded cut-glass stem s...
Crystal, Bronze
French Baccarat Gilt Bronze and Crystal Twelve-Arm Chandelier, Circa 1820
By Baccarat
Located in Charleston, SC
French Baccarat gilt bronze and crystal twelve-arm chandelier with a gilt floral canopy, cascading crystal prisms flanking a centered spiral crystal column , twelve gilt floral scrol...
Crystal, Bronze
French Bronze and Crystal Two Tiered Chandelier. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
French bronze and crystal two tiered twelve light chandelier with crystal sphere's. Originally candle powered and has been electrified. Early 19th Century
$198,500Sale Price|47% Off
H 87 in W 48 in D 48 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Cherub & Dragons Ormolu & Crystal Chandelier
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th century Louis XV style figural gilt-bronze and crystal thirty-three light chandelier, attributed to Baccarat, after a model by Jacques Caffieri (French, 1678-1755) with twenty one Candelabra Arms, three gilt-bronze cherubs each holding a wreath and three sets of three-headed Winged Griffins, the central bronze ball in a deep-cobalt-blue enamel with fleur de lys decorations. The candle sleeves are opline glass. Circa: Paris, 1890. Jacques Caffieri (French, 1678-1755) not only produced chandeliers and furniture mounts for Louis XV but also entire gilt-bronze objects. The Cabinet de la Pendule adjoining Louis XV's bedroom at Versailles takes its name from the astronomical clock...
Bronze
$12,682Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Crystal Chandelier "La Nef" Attributed to Baccarat, France, Circa 1870
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in PARIS, FR
Magnificent vessel shaped chandelier in gilded bronze and engraved crystal attributed to Baccarat, suspended by four articulated chains. A ceiling pendant decorated with prisms and a...
Crystal, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
French gilt bronze and crystal four-light chandelier with floral decorative canopy, a fluted centered column supporting a six arm lower lit crystal basket, completed with a decorativ...
$187,895Sale Price|36% Off
H 55.12 in Dm 41.34 in
Baccarat Crystal and Gilded Bronze Chandelier, France, circa 1870
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in PARIS, FR
A very important thirty-five lights crystal and gilded bronze chandelier. The centered stem is made up of baluster-and-bowl-shaped cut-crystal pieces, all of very high-standard quality. Adorned with an elegant gilt bronze mount forming the light-arms, alternating bouquets of six and one, all decorated with climbing ivy...
Crystal, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
French gilt bronze and crystal six light chandelier with centered crystal sphere and original crystal ball. Originally candle powered and has been electrified. Early 19th Century
$23,017Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.12 in Dm 29.53 in
"Marie-Antoinette" Baccarat Crystal Chandelier, France, circa 1870
By Baccarat
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful Louis XVI-inspired baluster-shaped chandelier, in crystal and silvered bronze mount. The central shaft, made of threads, is lit by 12 indirect lights and 12 light-arms endi...
Crystal, Bronze
Baccarat, Crystal Chandelier, France, circa 1825
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in PARIS, FR
Elegant cut and faceted crystal chandelier with six lights. Composed of a cup decorated with palmets on a grid background surrounded by a gilded bronze crown with alternating decorat...
Crystal, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
French gilt bronze and crystal five light chandelier with amber prisms and floral motif. Chandelier was originally candle powered and has been...
Pair of Baccarat Cut Crystal Lamps
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Baccarat cut crystal lamps Empire style vases with lattice pattern and bronze scroll formed handles, resting on on bronze square base. ...
Bronze
Pair of Baccarat Crystal Candelabra
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Baccarat candelabra in molded crystal with three lights decorated with crystal pendants. They are composed of two twisted arms of ...
Crystal
Pair of Baccarat Sculpted Crystal Table Lamps, Midcentury circa 1950s
By Cristalleries De Baccarat, Baccarat
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning pair of sculpted crystal table lamps by Baccarat, circa 1950s. These are heavy pieces exceptional in their workmanship with a beautiful twisted pattern. Elegant and moder...
Crystal
19th Century Baccarat French White Glass Couple of Luis XV Style Sconces
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Valladolid, ES
An amazing couple of glass and golden glass Baccarat white glass sconces. In a Luis XV style and Napoleon III period. With 2 arms and a central shaft all in ca...
Crystal