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.
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
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
$3,275 / 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
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
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
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
$9,800Sale Price / set|23% Off
H 28 in W 22 in D 13 in
Pair of 19th Century Georgian Crystal and Wedgwood Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of 19th century English cut crystal and Wedgwood candelabra. Neoclassical Adam Style. Three candle arms. Blue Jasperware base of classica...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
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
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Four-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a touch of classical French refinement to a mantel, console, or dining table with this pair of antique Empire style candelabras. Crafted in France circa 1880, each tall candles...
Brass, Bronze
Pair 19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze Four-Light Candelabra Engraved Details
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An elegant pair of antique late 19th century Italian gilt bronze four-light candelabra, beautifully crafted in the Continental style. Each candelabrum features a refined geometric co...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Four-Light Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century gilt-bronze candelabra, each with a tapering reeded stem supporting three foliate cast candle branches and one central branch, raised on lion head and paw, on a ...
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Figural Bronze Candelabra
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fine quality 19th Century French gilt bronze winged cupid sculptural candelabra mounted on square rouge marble plinths. Louis XVI form with rose pedal candle arms.
Griotte Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
$3,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 23 in W 8 in D 8 in
Empire Four-Light Candelabra, Parcel-Gilt Bronze, Pair, Early 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire period parcel-gilt and patinated bronze four-light candelabra, the patinated column raised on triform scrolled feet over incurved plinth supporting a gilt bronze stand...
Bronze
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
Pair of Monumental 19th Century Medieval Style Brass Candelabra
Located in Troy, NY
Pair of massive Gothic style brass candelabra of impressive size. Can be electrified or used to hold large pillar candles.
Brass
Louis XV Style Bronze Five-Light Candelabra
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Louis XV style bronze Five-light candelabra, Early 20th century. Of naturalistic form, the foliate clasped nozzles and drip pans issuing from scrolling branches about co...
Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century French Bronze Three-Light Candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of late 19th century French bronze three-light candelabra. Each candelabrum features three curved candle arms, floral detailing, and a decorative base. With their elegant silh...
Bronze
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