A Signed Baccarat Louis XVI-style Gilt Bronze And Cut-crystal Chandelier, C. 1870–1880

A Signed Baccarat Louis XVI-Style Gilt Bronze and Cut-Crystal Chandelier, c. 1870–1880

An elegant and decorative Louis XVI-style stem chandelier in gilt bronze, featuring eighteen candle arms arranged on two tiers. The chandelier is adorned with octagonal drops, star-shaped crystals, and clear cut-crystal elements. At its center, a tiered arrangement of cut-crystal "bottles" cascades down, culminating in a large, finely cut crystal finial.

Historical Context: A magnificent French chandelier from the late 19th century, circa 1880, signed by Baccarat.

Dimensions:

Height: 43¼ in (110 cm)

Diameter: 33½ in (85 cm)

Condition:

In excellent original condition, this chandelier has been professionally cleaned and retains its original gilding. It is wired for electricity to European standards, with the option for 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.