From Russian emperors to Indian maharajas, this new collection revives extraordinary heritage designs beautifully.
It’s believed that a thing of beauty gives joy forever—perhaps why a group of craftsmen in eastern France took it upon themselves in 1764 to transform the four elements of nature (earth, air, fire and water) into crystal of the highest quality. It took nearly 50 years to perfect their formula to create unparalleled purity, and so was born the house of Baccarat.
“By 1855, at the first World Fair in Paris, Baccarat unveiled its craftsmanship to the world, dazzling visitors and earning the first of many medals at major national and international exhibitions. In the years that followed Baccarat continued to astonish by crafting a crystal temple in homage to the god Mercury, and later an epic crystal ship, each appearance more extraordinary than the last,” shares Mandeep Singh, Director, Lux Abode, Baccarat’s partner in India, speaking about the brand’s storied history.
Soon, Baccarat had made a name for itself beyond France, by creating custom pieces for the Maharajas of India, a majestic candelabra for Nicholas II, the Tsar of Russia, an impressive collection of lighting for the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, pieces for Napoleon III for his apartments in the Louvre and Tuileries, creations for the Japanese imperial court, and the Juvisy service that has adorned the ceremonial tables of the Elysée Palace since 1899.
“Two and a half centuries on, Baccarat remains what it has always been—the ultimate expression of French craftsmanship, and an infinite source of inspiration,” shares Singh. The brand’s new collection launched recently at its store in Delhi, has been inspired by some of its existing iconic pieces, each of which has its own interesting origin story.
“Created for the International Exhibition of Eastern France in Nancy in 1909, the Pierreries decanter bears witness to the expertise of Baccarat artisans in the art of rich cutting. Through the repetition of its geometric motifs and its refined form, it foreshadows the emerging codes of Art Deco,” he explains.
The Vol de Jour and Vol du Soir vases are reissues of a model originally unveiled at the 1878 World’s Fair. “The delicacy of their naturalistic decoration reflects the growing fascination of European decorative arts with aesthetics from the East. At the end of the nineteenth century, the prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige transformed the way nature was perceived: graphic, expressive, and symbolic. This influence appears in the Japonist motif of the two vases, engraved with extreme precision using a wheel,” Singh says.
Another ceremonial piece which was originally presented at the Universal Exhibitions of 1867 and again in 1878, is the Halo Decanter. Singh describes it thus, “Its annular silhouette draws inspiration from antique heritage, evoking Greco-Roman ceramics, here reinterpreted in the purity of crystal. In 1909, at the International Exhibition of Eastern France in Nancy, a version crowned with a stopper appeared.”
The Trocadéro bowl presented in 1925 at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, marked Baccarat’s entry into a radical modernity, driven by the vision of Georges Chevalier, who was the Maison’s first artistic director. His new vocabulary was defined by purity of form and the taut lines of geometry. This bowl is crafted in clear crystal cased with pink crystal, a variation of the golden red, which is Baccarat’s signature colour obtained through the gradual fusion of clear crystal with 24-carat gold.
The Canopée bowl was created in 1901 for the grand tables of the Russian Imperial Court and thus have never before appeared in the Maison’s catalogue. Singh adds, “It fully reflects the aesthetic of the Belle Époque, a moment of creative exuberance when the profusion and virtuosity of decoration were at their height.”
Along similar lines is the Harcourt glass collection, created in 1841, which is distinguished by its hexagonal foot, triple-knob stem, six facets, and substantial weight. This ensures both stability and presence,” says Singh.
“It has graced royal and presidential tables around the world, and first captivated Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie de Montijo during the Second Empire. A perpetual source of inspiration, Baccarat’s iconic design now reinvents itself in the brilliance of colour, appearing in red, and for the first time in its history, in blue and in green. Each piece requires absolute uniformity so that light can unfold with equal intensity across its entire silhouette. This mastery gives rise to exceptionally limited series, as coloured crystal remains a challenge even for the most skilled artisans. Mouth-blown, each piece is unique, revealing its own reflections and allowing the colour to vibrate between depth and transparency depending on the thickness of the crystal.”
The piece de resistance of the new release is the Tsar service which was first created in 1909 for Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Singh explains, “It embodies the splendour of the great imperial commissions placed with Baccarat at the turn of the twentieth century. Their scale was such that the manufacturer dedicated one of its furnaces solely to their production, and it became known within the workshops as the Russian furnace. It was destined for the palaces of Saint Petersburg and according to legend the red glass was reserved for the Tsar himself and the members of his family alone, while green and blue adorned the tables of his court.”
Talking about its design, he adds, “Crafted in double-cased crystal, the Tsar glass is recognizable by its tall stem, its scalloped foot, and its motif of diamond points and palmettes. The ultimate signature of Baccarat’s art of cutting, this decoration is the work of the most experienced craftsmen. Executed using a multitude of grinding wheels, it captures and diffracts light with rare intensity. Today, the Maison offers a contemporary interpretation of this piece with a tumbler freely inspired by the original model. Conceived to accompany exceptional moments as well as the rhythms of everyday life, with the same demand for beauty and sharing, this creation embodies the spirit of Baccarat, an art of living that transcends time and resonates with an undiminished emotional force.”
Summarising the appeal of the new offerings, Singh ends with: “What I find most fascinating about the Haute Cristallerie collection is how it captures the essence of Baccarat’s journey over the centuries. While the Maison’s history is extraordinary, what truly stands out is its ability to continually reinterpret craftsmanship for a contemporary audience. Each piece reflects this extraordinary level of artistry and savoir-faire. For me, that’s what makes Baccarat’s legacy so remarkable—it’s this ability to honour centuries of tradition while continuing to inspire and resonate across generations.”
*Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www. nooranandchawla.com
