Baccarat, Saint-Louis, Lalique and Daum: A Guide to French Crystal
Share
France is home to the world's most celebrated crystal houses, and four of them are represented at Galerie Royale. All four work with exceptional craftsmanship, yet each has its own history, technique and style. Here is how to tell them apart and choose the right piece for your home or as a gift.
Baccarat: the crystal of kings
Founded in 1764 in the town of Baccarat in Lorraine, with the authorisation of King Louis XV, Baccarat has supplied royal courts and grand houses around the world for more than two and a half centuries. Its signature is brilliant, deeply cut clear crystal, along with its famous jewel-like red.
Collections to know:
- Harcourt, created in 1841, with its distinctive flat-faceted bowl. A true icon of the French table. Explore the Harcourt 1841 water glass or the Harcourt flutes.
- Mille Nuits: lighter, more delicate stemware for everyday elegance, such as the Mille Nuits flutes, set of 2.
- Louxor: architectural desk and home accessories, like the Louxor catch-all.
Choose Baccarat if you want a timeless classic with instant recognition, a perfect choice for a formal table or an important gift.
Saint-Louis: the oldest crystal house in France
Saint-Louis traces its glassmaking origins back to 1586 in the forests of Lorraine, and received its royal title in 1767. Today it is part of the Hermès group. Saint-Louis is known for virtuoso cutting, rich colours and a playful sense of design.
- Tommy: the house's most famous stemware, with richly cut stems. See the Tommy water glass and the Tommy water jug.
- Folia: a leaf-inspired cut for tumblers and candlesticks, including the Folia tumblers, set of 2.
- Apollo: elegant tea and coffee service in crystal, such as the Apollo tea tumblers.
Choose Saint-Louis if you love colour and craftsmanship that feels both traditional and joyful.
Lalique: crystal as art
René Lalique was one of the great jewellers of the Art Nouveau era before turning to glass. Since 1921, Lalique crystal has been made in Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace. The house is recognisable by its moulded designs and the contrast between clear and satin-frosted crystal, inspired by nature, the female form and animals.
- Bacchantes: an Art Deco masterpiece with a frieze of dancing figures. See the Bacchantes vase.
- Animal sculptures: collectible and charming, like the Baby Elephant or the Resting Rabbit.
- 100 Points: wine glasses developed for tasting, including the universal glass.
Choose Lalique if you are looking for a decorative object or sculpture that is a work of art in its own right.
Daum: the colour of pâte de verre
Founded in Nancy in 1878, Daum is famous for its mastery of pâte de verre, a demanding technique in which crystal paste is cast in a mould to create rich, translucent colour and soft, sculptural forms. Daum regularly collaborates with artists and designers, which makes many of its pieces true collector's objects.
Choose Daum if you want a colourful, sculptural statement piece for a living room or a collection.
At a glance
- For the table: Baccarat and Saint-Louis.
- For decoration and art: Lalique and Daum.
- For a classic gift: Baccarat Harcourt.
- For a colourful, playful gift: Saint-Louis.
Caring for fine crystal
Wash crystal by hand in warm, not hot, water with a mild detergent, and dry it immediately with a soft lint-free cloth to avoid water marks. Hold stemware by the bowl rather than the stem when drying, and store glasses upright rather than upside down on their rims.
Would you like to see these pieces in person or need help choosing? Contact our team.