Marie-Antoinette Style Louis XVI Chandelier in Chiseled and Gilded Bronze with Baccarat Crystal, circa 1890
This exceptional chandelier, in the Louis XVI style known as "Marie-Antoinette," combines the elegance of chiseled and gilded bronze with the purity of crystal. Its six candle arms, arranged in a graceful tiered structure, are adorned with a cut crystal column. The design is further enhanced by a refined array of crystal elements: plaques, olive drops, beads, faceted crystals, teardrops, and rosettes, all in slightly smoked white crystal. A solid crystal ball, both understated and luminous, completes its silhouette.
Attributed to the House of Baccarat around 1890, this chandelier embodies 19th-century French craftsmanship, where the luxury of materials meets the mastery of bronze and crystal work.
Dimensions:
Height: 37.4 inches
Diameter: 21.7 in
Condition:
In excellent condition, this chandelier has been carefully cleaned and retains its original gilding, with a preserved luster. Fully wired to European standards, it can be adapted to American standards upon request.
Baccarat:
In 1764, King Louis XV authorized Louis-Joseph de Montmorency-Laval, Bishop of Metz, to establish a glassworks in the village of Baccarat in Lorraine.
In 1824, Ismaël Robinet, a glassworker from Baccarat, invented a piston-powered air pump that facilitated glass blowing. The following year, Baccarat developed the pressed-molded technique.
In 1855, Baccarat participated in the first Paris 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 carafe, a stemmed glass, and a goblet inscribed in a circle. Initially printed on a paper label, the hallmark would later be engraved directly onto the piece.
Baccarat crystal is of excellent quality, containing at least 31.7% lead, with no defects, and meets a high standard of excellence. The Baccarat Crystal Works spans generations while remaining a symbol of the French art de vivre.
