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 Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat furniture and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu lidded box
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu lidded box. This charming circular shaped box has handsome diamond shaped cuts throughout with intricate...
Crystal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Oak-Copper French Cigar Box
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A nice antique cigar box, made of oak, decorated with bronze and copper mounts. Central plaque depicting horses. Lifting system. Space for 30 cig...
Copper
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.75 in W 3.5 in D 2.5 in
Antique 19th Century French Ormolu Beveled Glass Trinket Box
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th Century French ormolu glass trinket box, circa 1860. This miniature box has the original tufted silk lining, thick beveled ...
Ormolu
$15,000 / set
H 18.12 in W 12.21 in D 4.73 in
Pair of crystal candelabras signed Baccarat, France, late 19th century.
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of crystal candelabras signed Baccarat, France, late 19th century.
Crystal
$2,944Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 5.5 in D 4 in
French Baccarat Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Casket with Starburst Lid and Key
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
French Baccarat Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Jewelry Box with Starburst Lid and Original Key This rectangular Baccarat cut crystal casket features a hinged form with sharply de...
Crystal, Bronze
French Late 19th Century Onyx Champlevé Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful onyx and gilt bronze champlevé enamel jewelry box in a chest design; made in France in the Late 19th Century, having a soft red velvet interior and impeccable hand-painted ...
Onyx, Bronze
$9,700
H 5.5 in W 10 in D 4.5 in
19th Century French Louis XVI St Gilt Bronze Mt Emerald Green Cut Crystal Box
Located in New York, NY
A superb and richly detailed Large 19th century French green cut crystal and gilt bronze box in the refined Louis XVI style. This exceptional piece is crafted from vibrant emerald gr...
Crystal, Bronze
$568Sale Price|42% Off
H 1.58 in W 4.34 in D 3.75 in
19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Oval Jewellery Box, France
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty oval-shaped jewellery box in gilt bronze, with an exquisite central miniature of a young man serenading two young ladies with a lute. This Louis XVI style box is stunni...
Bronze
$2,100
H 3.5 in W 5.25 in D 3.75 in
Late 19th C French Fire Gilt Ormolu Cut Glass Table Box, Attributed to Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th Century French Fire-Gilt Ormolu and Cut Crystal Table Casket, Attributed to Baccarat A refined French fire-gilt ormolu and cut crystal table box, dating to the late 19th century and attributed to Baccarat. The rectangular casket is executed in heavy crystal, cut in the pointe de diamant (diamond point) pattern, with a richly faceted surface that sparkles with light. The base is finished with a classic starburst cut (étoile taillée), a hallmark of Baccarat’s precision craftsmanship. The crystal is mounted in finely chased fire-gilt bronze, the band encircling the box decorated with laurel leaf and berry motifs, symbols of victory, eternity, and refinement within the French neoclassical tradition. The lockplate is adorned with a foliate wreath surrounding the keyhole, adding both ornamental and symbolic significance, as the casket was intended to hold cherished personal objects, jewels, or keepsakes. The ormolu mount retains a rich, warm fire gilding, applied by the traditional mercury gilding process, and features a continuous rear hinge—an indicator of the precision fittings used by Baccarat and other leading Parisian luxury workshops of the period. The box opens to a generous interior, ideal for use as a boîte à bijoux (jewel casket), boîte à bonbons (sweetmeat box), or wedding casket...
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Treenware Mahogany Lidded Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century turned treen lidded box made from mahogany. This piece was expertly hand turned in England and has a lovely finial over a domed top, which rests on a shapely hand turne...
Mahogany
A French Banded Agate and Ormolu Trinket Box, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Banded Agate and Ormolu Trinket Box, 19th Century Description: The rectangular box with gilt metal banding rising to a bevelled lid, the front pierced with a faux lock escu...
Agate, Ormolu
$8,000
H 15 in W 15 in D 10 in
Large French Sevres Style Porcelain Ormolu Mounted Casket Box 19th Century
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very large 19th century ormolu mounted Sevres Style porcelain casket box , made in France and decorated with the characteristic celeste blue ground associated with Sèvres porcelain, ...
Bronze
French 19th century Charles X st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Urn
Located in Catania, IT
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Charles X st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu urn. This lovely lidded urn has intricate and precision cutting .Lidded top and taper to th...
Crystal, Ormolu
Sold
H 13.39 in W 14.97 in D 11.82 in
19th Century Napoleon III Mother of Pearl and Crystal Baccarat Liquor Cellar
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very rare blackened wooden liquor cellar and mother of pearl inlay with its crystal interior from Maison Baccarat in Nancy. The glasses of the case are engraved and those of the ful...
Crystal