Pair Of Lacemaker's Loupes

Pair of Provençal Lacemaker Lamps in pressed-molded glass. The shaft represents a Cherub supporting the engraved glass ball for one with decorations of vine leaves and for the other with decorations of a garland of leaves and flowers. They are most likely from the Baccarat Portieux house but no signatures. They measure 28.50 cm and 29 cm in height and their feet 11.50 cm and 12 cm in diameter. Small defect on one of the feet, firing defect (see last photo). Delivery in France and Europe The Portieux crystal factory is the heir to one of the oldest French crystal manufacturers specializing in goblet, decorative and fancy items. Initially a modest glassworks founded in 1690 by François Magnien de Magnienville, it became two centuries later the largest company in the Vosges with a thousand employees. In 1914, 38,000 pieces were produced per month, spread over 8,000 models. In 1920, the Cristallerie de Baccarat, badly damaged during the war, opened a workshop in Rambervillers to poach workers from the Portieux cutting factory, which was therefore forced to close a workshop. The Lacemaker's magnifying glass was an important element of the Lacemaker's kit.