Baccarat

Crystal Manufacture
(attributed to)

Cut-crystal Centerpiece

France
Circa 1880

Crystal, Bronze

Height : 15 cm (5,9 in.) ; Length : 42 cm (16,5 in.) ; Width : 25,5 cm (10 in.)

Elegant oval cut-crystal centerpiece decorated with stylized palmettes on a grid background, resting on a silver patina bronze mount representing blooming branches.

Biography

The famous crystal manufacture of Baccarat, that dates back to the 18^th Century, was awarded its first medal in 1823, during the « Exposition des Produits de l’Industrie » for the « brilliance and the sharpness of its crystal » and became then the most renowned French cristallerie. Baccarat was undoubtedly the only French manufacture, that exhibited steadily and magnificently its products at the various Universal Exhibitions, and especially between 1855 and 1867. In all reports one can read about the « perfection of the material and of its cut ».