For almost 200 years, Val Saint Lambert of Seraing, Belgium, has produced some of the most elegant and prestigious works of crystal and glass. Holding the distinction of being the world’s only Belgian glassworks, Val Saint Lambert creates exquisite items including ashtrays, serveware, vases and sculptures.
Founded by chemist François Kemlin and engineer Auguste Lelièvre, the company opened its first glassworks in 1826. Its quality manufacturing of heavy-lead crystal and the expert craftsmanship of its wares quickly led to the company’s popularity.
In 1894, Val Saint Lambert exhibited its geometric-cut crystal at the World’s Fair in Antwerp, Belgium. The central piece was “le Vase des Neuf Provinces,” or “The Vase of the Nine Provinces.” Under the direction of French glassmaker Léon Ledru, it took 30 artisans over 2,000 hours to fashion it from 85 individually crafted pieces. The exposure led to Val Saint Lambert becoming the primary crystal used by the Tsars of Russia and the company’s pieces being sold internationally.
That same year, the company crafted two immense crystal chandeliers for the Maharaja of Gwalior to hang in his palace in India. Weighing almost five tons each and measuring over 42 feet high, they were the largest crystal chandeliers in the world at the time.
The company closed its doors for the duration of World War I but soon reopened. By 1926, it had over 5,000 employees and had a growing demand for its pieces made in the Art Deco style.
During World War II, bombing from German and Allied forces destroyed the main glassworks facility. The company rebuilt, but by 1950, crystal was becoming more of a household item and less of a luxury good.
In the subsequent decades, Val Saint Lambert collaborated with notable names to expand its offerings with sophisticated furniture, including work with Philippe Starck and Frans Van Praet. In 1992, Van Praet designed the famed Sevilla chair for Val Saint Lambert, a piece highly prized by collectors and designers.
In 2014, Belgian manufacturer Jacques Somville took over Val Saint Lambert. In 2018, Belgian entrepreneur George Arthur Forrest acquired the majority of the company. Val Saint Lambert continues to make some of the finest glass and crystal wares in the world.
Find Val Saint Lambert lighting, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Large Turbine Glass Bowl Signed by the Swedish Glass Artist Erik Höglund, 1980
By Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Large Turbine glass bowl by the Swedish artist Erik Höglund, 1980. Erik Höglund, 1932-1998, was a Swedish sculptor and glass artist, commonly known for his thick and bubbly glass ma...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Pewter Footed Bowl by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1956
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant pewter footed bowl produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, dated 1956. With its low, grounded foot and softly undulating rim, the piece carries a quiet sculptural presence. T...
Pewter
Fulvio Bianconi Blue Handkerchief Bowl from Venini, Murano Italy
By Venini
Located in Stockholm, SE
Handkerchief bowl/vase designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, Murano. This fazzoletto bowl features zanfirico glass with lattimo white netted vertical cane and light blue ribbons, s...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Scandinavian Modern Stig Lindberg "Domino" Dish, in Brown and Black, Gustavsberg
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
This square dish from the Domino series was originally designed in 1954 and features a brown glaze with a raised labyrinth-like pattern at its center. The series is a prime example o...
Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern Tray from Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1930s
By Nils Fougstedt, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
A early tray attributed to Nils Fougstedt from Firma Svenskt Tenn in Stockholm, Sweden. Svenskt Tenn is today on of the most popular interior brands...
Pewter
Nils Fougstedt Pewter Box for Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1986
By Nils Fougstedt, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Nils Fougstedt (1881-1954), Pewter Box for Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1986 This is an exquisite tin box adorned with intricate meadow flowers in relief. The delicate floral patterns bring ...
Brass, Pewter
Val Saint Lambert Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish Vide Poche Clear Belgium 1970
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Miami, FL
Signed Val Saint Lambert Diamond faceted shaped lead crystal Ashtray, hand cut-to-clear, the glass clear thick, deeply and evenly cut, made in Bel...
Crystal
Heavy crystal ashtray, Val Saint Lambert Crystal Factory, France, 1970
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Solid crystal ashtray from the Val Saint Lambert Crystalworks, 1970s. An elegant, heavy crystal ashtray crafted by the prestigious Val Saint Lambert Crystalworks. This piece is distinguished by its free-flowing, sculptural form with undulating contours, evoking the movement of molten glass. The thick, perfectly transparent crystal captures and reflects light brilliantly, highlighting the exceptional quality of its craftsmanship. Typical of 1970s design, this ashtray combines functionality with modernist aesthetics. Its sculptural presence allows it to be used today as an ashtray, a trinket dish, or a decorative object. A refined creation illustrating Val Saint Lambert's glassmaking expertise, sought after by enthusiasts of Belgian crystal and 20th-century design. Style : Mid-Century Modern Modernist 1970s Design Art Glassware Belgian Crystal Sculptural Key Features : Solid, clear crystal Made by the Val Saint Lambert Crystal Factory Free-form and organic shape High-quality crystal craftsmanship 1970s Heavy and stable piece Can be used as an ashtray or trinket dish Beautiful play of light and transparency Keywords : val saint lambert crystal, crystal ashtray, heavy crystal ashtray, belgian crystal, sculptural crystal bowl, vintage crystal decor, mid-century crystal, val saint lambert glass, art glass ashtray, crystal trinket dish, val saint lambert crystal ashtray, belgian crystal, crystal trinket dish, art glassware, 1970s design, solid crystal, decorative crystal object, vintage crystal collection...
Crystal
Mid Century Ashtray by Vladislav Urban, Czechoslovakia 1960s
By Urban Glass
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful mid-century ashtray produced from pressed glass. Designer is Vladislav Urban who produced this model as a part of his psychedelic collection ...
Glass
Midcentury Crystal Glass Ashtray/ Vide-Poche by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in North Miami, FL
Indulge in the elegance of this exquisite ashtray or Vide-Poche, crafted in Italy during the prestigious Fontana Arte's prime in the 1960s. The square-shaped design boasts a transpar...
Murano Glass
Midcentury Crystal Ashtray from Kosta, 1960s
By Kosta Glasbruk 1
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Thick and heavy cigar ashtray. It is made from polished lead crystal. Signed and numbered beneath its base. The signature looks like EH so it was probably designed by Erik Hoglund.
Crystal
Vintage Midcentury Crystal Cigar Ashtray (France)
By Rosenthal, Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Absolutely gorgeous mid-century French crystal cigar ashtray, circa 1960s. Not only versatile as a vide-poche or trinket dish but stylish and beautiful. Clean modernist lines that w...
Crystal
