For collectors, Daum is a name in the first rank of the French makers of art glass, along with those of Émile Gallé and René Lalique. Led in its early decades by the brothers Auguste (1853–1909) and Antonin Daum (1864–1931), the company, based in the city of Nancy, established its reputation in the Art Nouveau period, and later successfully adopted the Art Deco style.
In 1878, lawyer Jean Daum took over the ownership of a glassworks as payment for a debt and installed his sons as proprietors. Initially, Daum made glass for everyday purposes such as windows, watches and tableware, but the success that Gallé enjoyed at the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris — the international showcase for which the Eiffel Tower was built — inspired the Daum brothers to begin making art-glass pieces. They produced popular works of cameo glass, a decorative technique in which an outer layer of glass is acid-etched or carved off to reveal the layer below, but Daum became best known for vessels and sculptures in pâte de verre — a painstaking method in which finely ground colored glass is mixed with a binder, placed in a mold and then fired in a kiln.
Though early Daum glass was never signed by individual artists, the firm employed some of the masters of the naturalistic, asymmetrical Art Nouveau style, including Jacques Grüber, Henri Bergé and Amalric Walter (whose first name is frequently misspelled). Daum also collaborated with furniture and metalware designer Louis Majorelle, who created wrought-iron and brass mounts for vases and table lamps. In the 1960s, Daum commissioned fine artists, most notably Salvador Dalí and sculptor César Baldaccini, to design glass pieces. As you see from the works offered on 1stDibs, Daum has been home to an astonishingly rich roster of creative spirits and is today a state-owned enterprise making pâte de verre figurines.
Large Crystal Ashtray by DAUM – France, 1960s – Heavy Collector’s Piece
By Daum
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a large DAUM ashtray made in France around the 1960s. Crafted in clear crystal, it features a freeform organic shape typical of the mid-century modern aesthetic. The piece is...
Crystal
$456Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Astonishing Ashtray or Catch-All By Daum Nancy. Made in France
By Daum
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing rare ashtray or catch-all by Daum Nancy in crystal. Made in France No chips or other, this item is perfect in excellent condition. The design of this piece is amazi...
Crystal
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Daum Crystal Bowl Ashtray Light Blue
By Daum
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial light blue French crystal bowl or ashtray, organic modern design, from luxury Maison, Daum, France, circa mid-20th cent...
Crystal
Sculptural Roc vide-poche by Daum France, 1980
By Daum
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary sculptural vide-poche or ashtray, model Roc, in crystal, made by Daum France in the 1980s, signed and complete with the original label. The work features a geometric an...
Crystal
$580
H 3.14 in Dm 7.08 in
1960s Gorgeous Large Green Ashtray or Catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made i
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous large green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 7,08 diameter x 3,14...
Murano Glass
$1,160
H 2.76 in Dm 9.85 in
Tommaso Barbi Signed Cream Ceramic and Brass Ashtray or Catchall, Italy 1970s
By Tommaso Barbi, B Ceramiche
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful round ashtray or valet tray in gorgeous burgundy ceramic and brass. This rare decorative piece is signed on the bottom and was designed by Tommaso Barbi and produced in It...
Brass
$112Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.19 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Mid Century Crystal Glass Ashtray Bowl, Italy, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This original vintage glass element was designed and produced in the 1970s in Lombardia, Italy. It is made in Sommerso Technique and has a fantastic faceted form. The vibrant color m...
Crystal
Lalique French Crystal Jewelry Dish or Ashtray Leaf Design
By René Lalique, Lalique
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, signed, Lalique crystal dish with decorative leaf and indent design around edge, circa 20th century, France. Piece is from French luxury crystal maker Lalique. Made...
Crystal
$1,172
H 2.56 in Dm 9.85 in
T. Barbi Signed "Sun" Ashtray or Catchall in Murano Glass and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning “Sun” round ashtray or catchall in Murano glass and brass. This charming and unique piece was designed by Tommaso Barbi in Italy during the 1970s. In excellent condition, w...
Brass
$527
H 2.29 in Dm 6.11 in
Large French "Lucid" Crystal Glass Shell Bowl ashtray by Art Vannes France 1970s
By Flavio Poli, Art Vannes, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Crystal glass ashtray Producer: ART VANNES FRANCE (marked) Age: 1970s Wonderful heavy glass element designed and produced by Art Vannes in France i...
Crystal
Gucci Style Five Petal Flower Ashtray or Catch-all Mid Century Italy C1960s
By Gucci
Located in Trensacq, FR
Vintage Gucci style floral ashtray C1960s Italy. Beautifully sculptured and cleverly designed piece that sheds its petals to become five individual ashtrays. A gorgeous addition to...
Brass, Nickel
$302Sale Price|28% Off
H 1.96 in Dm 3.93 in
1960s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio Poli.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano Glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 3,93 diameter x 1,96 H inches cm...
Murano Glass
1960s Flavio Poli Colorful Faceted Diamond Ashtray by Seguso, Murano, Italy
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful multi-faceted and polished Murano glass ashtray in a wonderful diamond shape from the 1960s. Designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy. A colorful combination of light-blue, yellow and green layered art...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1960s Murano Blue Ashtray/Vide Poche Designed by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s stunning blue ashtray / Vide Poche designed by Flavio Poli in Murano Sommerso Glass. This piece is unique and the shape and the color are amazing. Made in Italy The item is in ...
Murano Glass
$233Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Mid Century Blue Artistic Glass Bowl Ashtray, Italy, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element was designed and produced in the 1970s in Lombardia, Italy. It is made in Sommerso Technique and has a fantastic faceted form. The v...
Glass, Murano Glass
$726Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.78 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Seguso Murano Sommerso Bullicante Blue Glass Bowl / Ashtray
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Bullicante gold dust art glass bowl or ashtray, Italy, 1950s. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. This eye-catching Murano cobalt blue Sommerso Italian Art glass bowl is made of ...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 4.34 in Dm 4.34 in
Daum Art Deco Molded Glass Ashtray or Vide Poche France 1940 transparent Color
By Daum
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide poche or ashtray in in Glass. It has been done circa 1940, in France. Transparent Color. Original and iconic molded glass bowl; its shape is simple and decisive, skillfully...
Glass
Daum Green Bubble Crystal Ashtray
By Daum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round glass ashtray or catchall by Daum House which started in 1878 in Nancy, France. This piece, created in the mid 20th century, has an all over ...
Crystal
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H 3 in W 3.5 in D 6 in
Daum Cesar Baldaccini Argos Ashtray 1970 France Crystal Midcentury Sculpture
By César Baldaccini, Daum
Located in New York, NY
A great sculptural thick black and clear smoked crystal ashtray bowl in a brutalist style by the famed French artist Cesar Baldaccini for Daum. Signed. Excellent unused condition.
Crystal
Vintage Pair of Daum Nancy France Controlled Bubble Ashtrays
By Daum
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage pair of Daum Nancy France controlled bubble ashtrays.
Art Glass
Cesar Baldaccini for Daum Crystal Bowl Ashtray
By César Baldaccini, Daum
Located in New York, NY
A heavy thick crystal bowl/ashtray designed by Cesar Baldaccini.
Crystal
Midcentury Translucent & Frosted Ashtray/ Decorative Bowl Signed by Daum France
By Daum
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ash tray/ decorative bowl was realized by the celebrated French atelier Daum. It features a circular form with a hollowed out center adorning with an abundance of concen...
Glass
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H 3.2 in W 6 in D 3.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Hexagonal Smoked Glass Ashtray or Bowl by Daum
By Daum
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ashtray or decorative bowl was handblown by the esteemed glass atelier, Daum, circa 1970. It features four opaque sides with subtle horizontal striated textural detailin...
Glass
Daum Crystal Cigar Ashtray, Mid Century French Modern 1955
By Daum
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant large size crystal cigar ashtray signed by Daum, mid century French modern with its original gift box, circa 1955.
Crystal
Cesar Baldaccini for Daum 1970s Crystal Bowl
By César Baldaccini, Daum
Located in New York, NY
A turquoise and clear solid, heavy crystal bowl designed by the French artist, Cesar Baldaccini. Signed. Could be used for decoration, a candy or trin...
Crystal