Large Baccarat Louis XV-style Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Cut Crystal, C. 1880–1890

Large Baccarat Louis XV-Style Chandelier in Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal, c. 1880–1890

Description:

A large and elegant Louis XV-style chandelier in gilt bronze, designed in a cage form with twelve candle arms and four interior lights. The chandelier features expansive white cut-crystal plaques, a central garland of cut-crystal bottles, and is crowned by a substantial cut-crystal finial. Its grand scale, refined craftsmanship, and decorative splendor make it a stunning example of late 19th-century French lighting.

Historical Context:

This magnificent chandelier, created between 1880 and 1890, is signed by Baccarat, the celebrated French crystal manufacturer. It embodies the opulence and technical excellence of the era, combining the ornate Louis XV style with the brilliance of Baccarat’s cut crystal.

Dimensions:

Height: 55.12 inches (140 cm)

Diameter: 39.37 inches (100 cm)

Provenance:

Private mansion, Yvelines, France.

Condition:

In excellent original condition, this chandelier has been cleaned and retains its original gilding. It is electrified according to European standards, with the possibility of adaptation to American standards upon request.

About Baccarat:

In 1764, King Louis XV granted Louis-Joseph de Montmorency-Laval, Bishop of Metz, permission to establish a glassworks in the village of Baccarat in Lorraine.

In 1824, Ismaël Robinet, a glassworker at Baccarat, invented a piston air pump that facilitated glassblowing. The following year, Baccarat developed the pressed-molded technique.

In 1855, Baccarat participated in the first Parisian World's Fair, showcasing two candelabras and a chandelier of monumental dimensions.

On October 29, 1860, Baccarat registered its trademark with the Paris Commercial Court: a decanter, a goblet, and a glass inscribed in a circle. Initially printed on a paper label, the stamp was later directly engraved on the piece.

Baccarat crystal is of excellent quality, containing no less than 31.7% lead, without any defects, reflecting a high level of craftsmanship. This is what characterizes the manufacturer. The Baccarat Crystal Works has traversed generations while remaining a symbol of the French art of living.