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.
Mathurin Moreau, A Monumental French Bronze and Crystal Figural Centerpiece
By Mathurin Moreau
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Mathurin Moreau (French, 1822-1912) A Monumental French Bronze and Crystal Figural Centerpiece Introducing an extraordinary and monumental Fre...
Crystal, Bronze
Exquisite Napoleon III French Ormolu Figural Basket Centerpiece, Circa 1880
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exquisite Napoleon III French ormolu figural basket centerpiece, Circa 1880, Attributed to Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley. Depicting four mercury-gilded bronze ormolu cherubs holding a basket, the base with trophies and scrolling. This monumental centerpiece...
Ormolu
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870
By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...
Ormolu, Enamel, Bronze
Important, Rare French Ormolu Sevres Style Porcelain Jewelry Box on Bronze Table
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A rare and important French ormolu/bronze and Sevres style turquoise porcelain jewelry box casket on matching French ormolu/bronze table with Sevres style porcelain plaques. Of palatial / monumental size! "The Marie Antoinette Jewelry...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Ferdinand Barbedienne, a French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870
By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pagoda Decanter Set, Attributed to Baccarat
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pagoda Form Cave à Liqueur, Attributed to Baccarat. The shaped gilt bronze case finely cast with egg and dart moulding, acanthus fronds and musical tr...
Ormolu
Baccarat Cave à Liqueur
Located in New Orleans, LA
This striking and rare Napoleon III-period cave à liqueur is masterfully modeled to represent the Cirque d'Hiver, or Winter Circus. Built in Paris in 18...
Crystal
A 19th Century French Ormolu Elephant Handle Lamp, Signed F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century French Ormolu Elephant Handle Lamp, Signed Barbedienne, Most Probably Commissioned for a Maharajah. This Louis XVI style dore bronze lamp is the quintessential display of French empire decorative opulence. Its exaggerated urn shape is meticulously cast with ormolu detailing that covers the entire surface of the lamp. On either side of the vase are two decorative handles, made out to be fancifully embellished elephant’s heads. The inclusion of elephants—which were introduced to French culture...
Bronze
Baccarat Cave à Liqueur with Sèvres Porcelain
By Baccarat
Located in New Orleans, LA
Notable for its incredible marquetry case and beautifully embellished Baccarat crystal, this handsome 19th-century cave à liqueur consists of three decanters and 16 cordial glasses. ...
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Exoticism Elephant Inkwell
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A beautifully crafted polished bronze elephant inkwell that vividly captures the late 19th-century fascination with the exotic. Reflecting the Orienta...
Bronze
Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Decanter Set by Baccarat
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine and decorative gilt-bronze and cut-glass decanter set by La Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat. The set consisting of four decanters and sixteen glasses each finely fa...
Ormolu
