The love story between crystal and crowned heads

Baccarat , Saint Louis , the Royal Champagne crystal factory, etc.

You probably know all the big houses that I'm going to tell you about.

But did you know that they all had a special relationship with the crowned heads of this world?

Each House has its own history, its own specialty which has allowed it to become known to greater names.

It is still very gratifying to know that this art has made its mark and continues to attract kings, princes, princesses and many other personalities.

This is what I will explain to you in this article.

Let's start with one of the most famous crystal factories of our time and certainly the most prestigious.

Baccarat

Cristallerie Royale de Baccarat, the brand of Kings.

Throughout the ages, Baccarat crystal has been the supplier to the greatest people in the world, including Kings, Presidents and crowned heads of the world.

Creation of the crystal factory in 1764, authorized by Louis XV.

Louis XVIII had fallen in love with the work and the inimitable brilliance of crystal, which led him to order an entire service of glasses, including the liqueur glass.

It was Charles X who gave the official title of Cristallerie Royale de Baccarat .

The relationship continued with presidents such as Émile Loubet in 1789 who, after his election, ordered a glass service created especially for the occasion, with the emblem of the French Republic: RF engraved as a monogram in the crystal.

Today, this service is still called Élysée, and adorns the tables at the grandest receptions.

Here is a photo of a Baccarat Crystal chandelier that many people are familiar with.

The famous chandelier at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.

Saint Louis

The Saint Louis crystal factory, founded in 1586, official supplier to Louis XV, had many lights and decorative objects made which were placed in the various Palaces.

Among the most prestigious crystal factories in the world, the Saint Louis crystal factory is certainly the one with the ART de la table collection which is most present in the palaces of this world, whether for example in the Palace of Versailles or in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and also in the more distant countries of Asia, Africa and America.

A range of tea glasses was specially designed to meet the demand of the Sultans of Morocco and which has since become a great classic.

Here is a picture.

Credit: Y. Toumi

The crystal factory supplied glasses with a gold rim for Mohammed V in 1958, for Prince Moulay Abdallah, and in the early 1960s numerous tableware and other items for Hassan II.

Waterford Crystal Glassworks.

Let's start with a little history.
The origins of Waterford glass production date back to 1783, when George and William Penrose started their business. He produced extra fine crystal that became famous throughout the world. But he had to close his business in 1851. In 1947, it was Charles Bacik, grandfather of Ivana Bacik's Irish senator, who developed a factory in the city, due to the excellent reputation of the original glassworks.

This crystal factory was the supplier to the English court. It produced many objects which today adorn Buckingham Palace, among other places.

The Royal Champagne Crystal Factory

The latter was founded at the request of Colbert in 1678 by a Venetian master glassmaker: Monsieur Mazzolay.

Supplier to Louis XIV at its creation, it has always aroused the admiration of the greatest, in France, Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The Cristallerie Royale de Champagne was the supplier to the Royal Court until 1727.

General de Gaulle, President Kennedy, the King of Morocco , the King of Arabia , demanding art lovers, were among the most loyal customers of the crystal factory.

The creations of the Royal Champagne Crystalworks are very often found on exceptional tables .

But the most exceptional pieces found throughout the world are of course the crystal lights .

In different ways, in the form of chandeliers, hot air balloons, wall lights, candelabras or even girandoles.

Klein Crystal Factory 54120 Baccarat France

Oh yes!!

We too have been fortunate for many years to manufacture pieces for the royal family of Saudi Arabia , for personalities in Europe and the United States and for great families in India.

Finally

All crystal factories have had their moments of glory with crowned heads, and I am proud to see that this know-how is perpetuated and continues to fascinate personalities.

It also allows us to perpetuate the centuries-old tradition of the greatest master crystal makers who have forged the history of crystal factories throughout the world.

Which palace, castle or religious monument does not have its exceptional crystal light fixture, often made to special order and completely tailor-made.

Whether you travel through the Viennese castles in Austria, the Palace of Versailles , passing through the castles of the Loire, etc.

They all witness the irresistible attraction that crystal has always exerted.

This fascinating material can also be admired at the White House, the Élysée Palace or the Kremlin . To name just three examples that all bear witness to the appeal of crystal as a material: whether in the form of lighting fixtures, tableware or exceptional sculptures.

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