British glassmakers F. & C. Osler redefined the art of cut-glass design in an era of Victorian luxury, refinement and grandeur.
The firm began in Birmingham in 1807 by Thomas Osler, who established his business making small glass ornaments and pieces for chandeliers. His sons, Follett and Clarkson Osler, joined the company and, in 1831, reorganized it as F. & C. Osler.
During the 1840s, F. & C. Osler expanded production to include the manufacture of chandeliers and glass furnishings, opening a second workshop in London in 1845. The company focused on producing large-scale designs, leading to the creation of one of their most famous pieces: the 27-foot-high, four-ton Crystal Fountain for London’s Great Exhibition in 1851. Another notable F. & C. Osler piece at the exhibition was a pair of eight-foot-high candelabras purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. Today, they are on display as part of the Royal Collection at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
The success of F. & C. Osler’s Crystal Fountain established the company’s reputation as one of the finest glassmakers of the 19th century. Wealthy clients coveted its cut-glass chandeliers, wall sconces, epergnes, candelabras and decorative centerpieces.
F. & C. Osler also received several important commissions. In 1856, F. & C. Osler designed a large chandelier for St. George’s Hall in Liverpool and a 36-light chandelier for London’s Mansion House. In 1858, they were asked to produce tableware for a banquet held by Queen Victoria at Aston Hall, in Birmingham. The Queen is said to have been so impressed with the glassware she asked permission to keep a champagne glass.
F. & C. Osler thrived throughout the late 19th century, experimenting with complex cut-glass motifs and expanding its successful export market to India. They became a favorite glassmaker for Indian royalty and aristocratic English ex-pats.
By the 1920s, demand for cut-glass products waned, and F. & C. Osler closed its Birmingham factory in 1922. The company remained in business, albeit on a much smaller scale, until 1976.
Today, F. & C. Osler remains a symbol of grand Victorian glassmaking and is sought by antique collectors and interior designers worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique F. & C. Osler lighting, decorative objects and serveware.
Superb Quality Pair of Early Victorian Cut Glass Candelabra
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A superb quality pair of early Victorian cut-glass candelabra, the richly cut wasted and scalloped bases surmounted with an unusual glass tree centre this with two branches supportin...
Exceptionally Large Pair of Victorian Lustres by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An exceptionally large pair of Victorian lustres by F&C Osler with round scolloped edged bases with corresponding turnover drip pans and candle nozzl...
Cut Glass
Pair of 19th Century Monumental Palace Size Osler Four Light Crystal Candelabra
By F. & C. Osler
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th Century Monumental Palace Size Osler Four Light Crystal Torchères/Candelabras. Each section is super finely hand-carved and hand-cut f...
Crystal, Bronze
F&C Osler Lead Crystal Wall Sconces, Hand-Crafted, George III Style
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Montreal, QC
An unusual pair of three light late Victorian silvered mounted, cut glass candle sconce, stamped F&C OSLER. The arm plate supporting two s shaped ...
Crystal
$1,958 / set
A Fine Pair Of Crystal Candlesticks By F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine pair of early Victorian, crystal candlesticks, hung with unusual drumstick drops, attributed to F&C Osler
Glass
A Pair Of Gilt Bronze Five Light Candelabra By F & C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The fabulous pair of gilt bronze cut glass Victorian candelabra are of arts and crafts form. The flat diamond cut bases with applied gilt bands and tapering columns, supporting five ...
Glass
$3,564 / set
H 29 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Rock Crystal Six Arm Candelabras
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite pair of late 19th-century Louis XVI-style six-arm candelabras is crafted from bronze and adorned with stunning rock crystal. Each candelabra features six gracefully cu...
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Charles X Gilt Bronze, Four-Light Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of gilt-bronze candelabras each with a tapering leaf-tip cast stem supporting three foliate carved candle branches with detachable nozzles and a reeded stem raised on a triparti...
Bronze
Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Four Light Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
While unmarked, these seem to us to be in the style of Elkington. The prevailing motif is fruiting vine, the stem, arms and drip pans continue the theme, the three legged base is als...
Silver Plate
$1,141 / set
H 10.24 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Silver Plated Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality pair of antique Victorian silver plated candlesticks having an outstanding quality pair of antique Victorian ornate silver plated candlesticks standing on ornate shaped round...
Silver Plate
$3,275 / set
H 21 in W 16 in D 8 in
Pair Of French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Floral Seven-Light Candelabra
Located in Norwood, NJ
A fine pair of antique French Napoleon III gilt bronze seven-light candelabra, exquisitely cast in the form of abundant flowering lily bouquets. Rising from classical urns adorned wi...
Bronze
Pair of antique Victorian quality brass candlesticks
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair of antique Victorian quality brass candlesticks having a quality pair of brass Victorian candlesticks with a turned shaped columns on a stepped base.
Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze 3-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
The appeal of the Napoleon III style (sometimes referred to as the Second Empire) stems from the fact that art and furniture from the mid-1800s incorporated elements from previous Fr...
Metal, Bronze
Quality large pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality large pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks, having a large pair of Victorian brass candlesticks with turned shaped columns raised on rectangular shaped bases. D. 1860
Brass
$1,141 / set
H 25.6 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Unusual Pair of Large Antique Victorian Ornate Brass Pricket Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual pair of large antique Victorian ornate brass pricket candlesticks having a turned ornate shaped brass column standing on an ornate base depicting flowers, scrolls and paw fee...
Brass
Pair of French gilt bronze table candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt bronze table candelabra French, 19th Century Height 75cm, diameter 35cm The fine gilt bronze candelabra in this pair are crafted ...
Ormolu
A fine pair of 19th century bronze and ormolu 4 light candelabra
Located in London, GB
An attractive pair of early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu 4 light Candelabra with removeable flame finial to centre light, supported on scrolled arms above tapering stems raised on ...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,150Sale Price|32% Off
H 58 in W 10.5 in D 18 in
George III Giltwood Candle Stand, Carved Design, England, 1800
Located in Savannah, GA
Handsome George III giltwood pedestal candle stand featuring a fluted tapered column with highly carved base including acanthus leaves and shells and a round wooden dish top measurin...
Giltwood
Rare Pair of Blue Cut-Glass Candlesticks by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A highly unusual pair of blue cut-glass candlesticks of the finest quality by F&C Osler hung with there rare tulip drops. Sadly there is a chip to one collar please see image.
Cut Glass
Fine Set of Four Victorian Lustres Hung with Spade Drops
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine set of four Victorian lustres on scalloped foot with scale cut bodies and rim, hung with spade drops and spangles.
Victorian Crystal and Gilt Bronze Candelabra by F. & C. Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary pair of cut-glass and gilt bronze five-light candelabra was crafted by the celebrated crystal works of F. & C. Osler. The English firm was the largest and grandest...
Crystal, Bronze
Fine Seven-Light Gilt Bronzed, Cut-Glass Candelabra by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The circular base richly cut with cross over diamonds this surmounted by a diamond and slice cut column this mounted by a gilt bronzed band supporting slice cut drip pans and corresp...
Ormolu
Fine Pair of English Amber Color Candelabra by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine pair of unusual amber color candelabra by F&C OSLER the turned brass lacquered bases surmounted by diamond cut glass dome and egg shaped pieces the candelabra centered by ...
Ormolu
Large Pair of Five-Light Victorian Cut-Glass Candelabra by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An unusual pair of victorian candelabra the pillar and file cut base on scalloped foot, this mounting five square cut arms supporting diamond cut pans and thistle nozzles.
Ormolu