One of the world’s foremost crystal manufacturers, Baccarat has long been emblematic of luxury and exquisite craftsmanship. Starting in the early 19th century, objects produced by the French company — from stemware to chandeliers to brightly colored paperweights — became a staple of noble and wealthy households across Europe and as far afield as India. Along with the purity and quality of their glass, Baccarat crystal makers can boast a remarkable fluency with a range of design styles — from cut-glass neoclassical pieces to sinuously etched Art Nouveau designs.
Baccarat began as a kind of industrial development project. In 1764, the Bishop of Metz and other landowners in heavily forested northeastern France persuaded Louis XV to sanction a glassworks in the area — timber being a key resource required for the furnaces used in glass production.
In its early years the company produced humble products such as window panes and simple drinking glasses. In 1816 a new owner began making crystal, and seven years later Louis XVIII — who had taken the throne after the defeat of Napoleon — gave Baccarat its first royal commission, for tableware. In the ensuing years, an estimated one-third of the company’s workforce was dedicated to commissions to the Russian imperial court alone.
Spurred by the intense competition between global industries in the latter 19th century — fought in public view in the many world expositions of the era — Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat, as it had finally become known, elevated its level of artistry by adopting new technologies and creating a rigorous training program. The firm broadened its stylistic range, embracing Asian influences and new engraving methods, and increasing production of its now iconic millefiori paperweights.
The designer Georges Chevalier, who worked for Baccarat for more than five decades beginning in 1916, ushered the company into the realm of modernist design. In recent years, Baccarat has employed such renowned contemporary designers as Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders, ensuring that Baccarat crystal will continue to enjoy pride of place on up-to-date tables. But as you will see from the offerings on these pages, Baccarat has items to suit any taste.
Find antique Baccarat decanters, vases, candle holders, chandeliers and other furnishings and objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Baccarat “Lalande” Crystal Desk Clock, France, Late 20th Century
By Baccarat
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Baccarat “Lalande” Crystal Desk Clock, France, Late 20th Century An elegant and refined crystal desk clock from the prestigious French luxury house Baccarat, model “Lalande,” manufa...
Crystal
French 19th century Charles X Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu garniture set
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Charles X Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu garniture set. This wonderful garniture set consists of a clock and pair of urns, raised ...
Crystal, Ormolu
Baccarat Crystal Hypnos Pendulette Table Clock, France
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Baccarat Hypnos pendulette is a sculptural table clock in clear crystal, featuring a large circular disc with a concave center that frames the small round clock face. The dial is...
Crystal, Quartz
French 19th Century Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Empire Style Mantel Clock
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite and finely crafted Large 19th century Baccarat crystal and ormolu French Empire style Neoclassical mantel clock. This elegant timepiece features a striking architectural...
Crystal, Bronze
$38,950Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 34 in W 22 in D 13.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Empire Ormolu Clock Garniture, Raingo Frers
By Raingo Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style Empire figural ormolu three-piece clock and candelabra garniture suite, comprising of a gilt-bronze clock and a pair of t...
Bronze
French Lalique Crystal Owl Table Clock
By Lalique
Located in Vilnius, LT
French Lalique crystal owl table clock. The clock is created in a clear crystal base with owl relief motifs. Engraved with Lalique France mark. Excellen...
Crystal, Metal
19th Century Sevres Style Gilded Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful French 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock, having a putti mounted to the top holding garlands of flowers, draping down the case, Rams heads and urns of flowers. The ...
Ormolu
$2,403
H 2.96 in W 2.96 in D 1.19 in
Vintage Cartier Paris Cased Palladium Plated Desk Alarm Clock 20th Century
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
A cased Cartier square Art Deco style, travel desk clock with alarm. It has a quartz movement and a palladium plated metal rectangular case, circa 1990 in date. The silvered clock h...
Onyx, Quartz, Metal, Silver
$28,500 / set
H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in
A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$2,900
H 2.75 in W 2.75 in D 2.36 in
Cartier Alarm Clock Pendulette, Lapis Lazuli & Gold, Swiss, 1980s
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's lapis lazuli and golden metal with manual winding. Clock case numbered 7507 10267. With original case, lined with r...
Lapis Lazuli
Cartier Pendulette Colisee Alarm Clock, Gold Plated, 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette "Colisee". Made in France It's in gold plated 24K. White enamel dial. Quartz movement. Clock case numbered 0545316. With original case, ...
Gold Plate
$9,220Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.83 in W 4.93 in D 1.89 in
René Lalique (1860-1945), Glass Clock "Pendulette 8 jours Cinq Hirondelles" 1920
By René Lalique
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Lalique (1860-1945), Pendulette 8 jours Cinq Hirondelles,1920 René Lalique Pendulette 8 jours « Cinq Hirondelles » enameled glass clock Also called pendulette « Vol d’Hirondel...
Glass
Cartier Pendulette Alarm Clock, Gold-Plated Frame
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette with white dial in perfect condition, steel hands, roman hour markers on gold-plated frame. Made in France. Quartz movement. Clock case...
Gold Plate
$2,875 / set
H 3.35 in W 2.96 in D 2.17 in
Cartier Paris 18ct Gold Plated Cased Romane Pendulette Quartz Alarm Clock
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Romane alarm clock from the 1980s .The clock features a 18ct gold plated case with a white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals.It operates with a quartz movement and...
Brass, Gold Plate
19th Century Marble Mantel Clock in French Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
Antique mantel clock in the French Empire style with variegated white and charcoal marble case with hand-craved white marble neoclassical appliques...
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Baccarat Crystal Nautilus Shell Sculpture, France.
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking Baccarat crystal nautilus shell sculpture showcasing the renowned French maker’s mastery of form, light, and texture. Crafted in heavy clear crystal, this sculptural piece...
Glass
1930 Art Deco Modernist Baccarat Crystal Clock Original Mechanical Movement
By Baccarat, Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Baccarat Art-Deco Modernist clock made in 1930s in molded clear crystal. Original mechanical movement. Perfectly working. The clock is made in two parts : the foot and the clock. ...
Crystal
Art-Deco Baccarat Crystal Clock
By Baccarat
Located in Astoria, NY
This Art-Deco Baccarat crystal desk or table clock consists of a solid crystal body and features silver plate on the frame of its face. The mechanism works perfectly. In very goo...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Original 1948 Baccarat Crystal Sun Clock
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The designs of Georges Chevalier (1894-1987), who was artistic director of Baccarat from the 1920s to the 1970s, were largely responsible for propelling Baccarat into the modern era. With his purity of line and geometric style cues, his signature is clearly legible, marking the stylistic power of the first artist to work for the Manufacture. Among Georges Chevalier’s flagship designs, was the Sun...
Crystal, Iron, Brass, Metal