For more than two hundred years, the Baccarat brand has certainly been setting the highest standards in crystal glassmaking. In their quest to create beauty, their expert glassmakers have turned ordinary objects into works of high art: glasses, vases, decanters, wine glasses.
Some history
It all started in a small village in the North-West side of France named Baccarat, where the bishop wanted to bring work to the people of the town and got the permission to do so through royal decree from the king Louis XV, leading to the opening of a factory for the production of glassware.
In 1816, 52 years after the founding of the glass factory, the industrialist Eme-Gabriel D'Artig acquired the manufacturing company and put into operation a furnace for the production of glass. In 1839, they created the first ever colored crystal products and since then, their color palette shines with soft aquamarine and pink tango, amethyst, amber, as well as the magical color "onyx" - black crystal.
From 1855 to 1978, the Baccarat brand has won gold medals three times at world exhibitions. In the mid-1980s, branches started opening up in Asia and America. The brand was also quite popular amongst Russian Tsars. In 1900, one of the company's three furnaces had nearly a thousand workers engaged in the execution of crystal orders coming from the Russian Empire.
To give you an idea, an example of an exquisite Baccarat piece would be this crystal cut centerpiece in the shape of a star.
What is so special about Baccarat?
One of Baccarat’s innovations was to develop a method to produce even more clear and brilliant crystal glass by adding ‘nickel oxide’ to the mixture. The production is unique- sand and glass are heated together at a temperature of 1500 degrees Celsius, and the furnace is heated for a whole month. When the crystal is removed from the oven, its temperature drops to 500 degrees, and the master only has a few minutes to give the product the desired shape.
Another example of Baccarat crystal at its best is this figurine portraying a cat laying down, cleaning itself.
Harcourt style
The symbol of Baccarat in France is the Harcourt cup. The classic shape is created as a regular figure with six sides and still remains the same today.
The Harcourt collection consists of decanters, jugs, glasses, and wine glasses. The style was created in 1841 during the reign of King Louis Philippe and has overtime appeared more often at the tables of aristocrats and bourgeois, as well as official receptions at the Elysee Palace, secular events, and balls.
Japanese influence
In the 19th century, the unique art of Japan and China took over Europe and quite the effect on the craftsmen of the region. Baccarat accepted the new encounter and boldly created floral and animal motifs on the crystal works. Simultaneously, multicolored enamels emerge and glass engraving is improved.
Perfumes and jewelry
In the 90s, the iconic glass manufacturer extended its product lines and began to create luxurious perfume bottles as well as jewelry. The famous designer Rene Lalique collaborates with Baccarat, leading to the creation of elegant crystal glass bottles for top names in the perfume game such as Guerlain, Coty, Houbigant and Bourgeois.
Their unique jewelry embodies the elegance and sophistication of Baccarat, and features gold and silver combined with crystal.
Baccarat’s exquisite clear and transparent crystal glass is a high pride of France, timelessly symbolizing luxury and prestige. Having been in the field for more than 250 years, their product range is immense; they have it all from chandeliers, candelabra, vases, decanters, wine glasses to luxury perfume bottles and jewelry. Baccarat has even crafted superb paperweights such as this limited-edition, featuring the Baccarat armorial bearings.
In both decorative style and technique of glassmaking, Baccarat has proven to be one of the best and most iconic glass crystal makers around the world.
FAQ
📌How can you tell it’s Baccarat crystal?
To identify Baccarat, look for markings on the bottom of the piece. The first Baccarat logo featured a wine glass, carafe and goblet with ‘BACCARAT FRANCE’ printed in a circle. Later pieces may only include the world ‘Baccarat’.
Some Baccarat paperweights that were made between 1846 and 1849 were stamped with the letter ‘B’ followed by a date, which represents the year the piece was made.
It is important to note that early 19th century Baccarat are not marked as the logo came along in the late 1800s, seeing as the two glass manufacturers Saint-Louis and Baccarat used to have a partnership and Baccarat started marking their pieces after Saint-Louis started its own production.
To identify Baccarat, look for markings on the bottom of the piece. The first Baccarat logo featured a wine glass, carafe and goblet with ‘BACCARAT FRANCE’ printed in a circle. Later pieces may only include the world ‘Baccarat’.
Some Baccarat paperweights that were made between 1846 and 1849 were stamped with the letter ‘B’ followed by a date, which represents the year the piece was made.
It is important to note that early 19th century Baccarat are not marked as the logo came along in the late 1800s, seeing as the two glass manufacturers Saint-Louis and Baccarat used to have a partnership and Baccarat started marking their pieces after Saint-Louis started its own production.
📌Where is Baccarat crystal from?
Baccarat crystal is a French fine crystal manufacturer, with its headquarters is in the small French village of ‘Baccarat’.
Baccarat crystal is a French fine crystal manufacturer, with its headquarters is in the small French village of ‘Baccarat’.
📌What is the best quality crystal?
Baccarat is definitely one of the best quality crystals out there. Other big names in the field include Lalique, Waterford, Moser, Saint-Louis.
Baccarat is definitely one of the best quality crystals out there. Other big names in the field include Lalique, Waterford, Moser, Saint-Louis.
📌Is Baccarat crystal safe to drink from?
Yes, you can safely drink out of your Baccarat crystal glass, as long as the fluid does not stay long enough to reach lead levels that surpass the standards. However, you should not store alcohol in crystal decanters for long periods of time such as several months or years.
Yes, you can safely drink out of your Baccarat crystal glass, as long as the fluid does not stay long enough to reach lead levels that surpass the standards. However, you should not store alcohol in crystal decanters for long periods of time such as several months or years.
