Offered by Tobogan Antiques
This 160-pieces cut, faceted, and gilt crystal table service attr. to Saint-Louis Manufacture belongs to the tradition of prestigious tableware developed by the great French crystal manufactories at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The whole, with its slender silhouette and faceted body adorned with a gilt decoration of floral garlands, a band, and a fillet around the neck, rests on a square stepped foot encircled with gold. It comprises 10 decanters, 24 champagne coupes, 20 water glasses, 16 red wine glasses, 24 white wine glasses, 24 sweet white wine glasses, 24 porto glasses, and 18 liqueur glasses.
This crystal service is distinguished by the balance between architectural monumentality and ornamental delicacy. Through the quality of its cutting, the precision of its gilding, and the coherence of its design, it illustrates the technical and stylistic excellence of the great French manufactories.
Biography :
The glassworks was founded in 1586 in the village of Münzthal, in Lorraine, then part of the Holy Roman Empire. Originally, it was a forest glassworks producing utilitarian glass (beakers, bottles, window panes), benefiting from the wood resources necessary for fueling the furnaces. In 1767, under the reign of Louis XV, it was granted the title of Royal Glassworks of Saint-Louis, marking its elevation to the status of a privileged manufactory. A decisive milestone came in 1781, when the manufactory perfected the production of lead crystal, becoming the first in France to master this technique, which had already been developed in England. The addition of lead oxide gave the material increased brilliance, a distinctive resonance, and improved suitability for cutting. The nineteenth century marked a major period of expansion: development of cutting and engraving techniques, participation in major World’s Fairs—particularly the 1855 Exposition—production of monumental chandeliers, table services, decorative objects, and official commissions. The manufactory established itself as a symbol of French refinement, alongside Baccarat, its principal Lorraine competitor.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Cristallerie de Saint-Louis adapted its models to evolving styles: cleaner lines heralding Art Deco, while maintaining its grand traditional cut decorations. After the Second World War, the manufactory continued producing its emblematic services while also developing collaborations with contemporary designers.
In 1989, it joined the Hermès group, consolidating its position within the international luxury sector. The manufactory is located in Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche, in Moselle. It now houses a museum retracing its history and preserving major historical pieces.
It holds the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (EPV) label, an official recognition of outstanding French craftsmanship.
