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.
Ormolu Mounted Flower Epergne by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine ormolu flower epergne on raised leopard paw feet supporting the main ring this issuing eight flat diamond cut posy vases with scalloped rim the centre supporting a larger vase...
Ormolu
French Pierre Cardin Pink Flower Glass Vase, Signed, 1980s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous decorative chic glass vase in light pink - rose color, made of glass. With original label "Pierre Cardin" and signature "Pierre Cardin" engraved in the glass (see all pictu...
Glass
$532
H 6.5 in Dm 3.35 in
Josef Rindskopf Austrian Art Nouveau Silver Mounted Iridescent Art Glass Vase
By Josef Rindskopf’s Söhne
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Bohemain Art Nouveau art glass vase with an iridescent marbled design and silver rim by Josef Rindskopf and dating from around 1904. The vas...
Silver
$1,417
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 12.21 in
Large Murano "Bullicante" Blown Glass Fan Flower Vase by Barovier, Italy 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent rostrato and "bullicante" mouth-blown crystal Murano glass vase made by Ercole Barovier in Italy during the 1950s. In spectacular condition, not missing a single spike, w...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mint Condition Murano Barovier Black & Green Mount Blown Glass Art Vase
By Barovier
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful mouth blown art glass vase from the midcentury era. If you are looking for unique and truly decorative works of art to grace your living space then this midcentury era, Italian vase could be the perfect addition to your collection. This entirely handcrafted and mouth blown work of beauty by Barovier has the most amazing organic design and coloring and it will always draw people's attention. This combination of black, green and transparent glass is unlike anything we ever saw and it looks like something organical that you would find on a seabed or on a tropical island somewhere. Also because of its good size this Italian workmanship gem will never fail to impress. If you can already see it on your side...
Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass
Kralik Art Nouveau Irisdescent Glass Flower Head Pedestal Vase
By Kralik Glassworks
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Kralik Art Nouveau iridescent art glass flower head shaped vase with a wonderful opalescent body dating from circa 1900. The vase stands on a wided rounded slightly domed ...
Blown Glass
$3,600
H 8.5 in Dm 16 in
Signed Osler Epergne Silver Bronze Centerpiece w/ Winged Griffins Crystal Vases
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and spectacular example of F. & C. Osler's workmanship. The Osler firm was founded in Birmingham, England, in 1807. Thomas Osler and a partner produced small ornaments, followed by glass prisms and parts for chandeliers. In 1831, Osler's sons, Follett and Clarkson, assumed control of the business, which was eventually reorganized as F. & C. Osler. They moved to new premises in Birmingham, and in 1852 they opened their own glass factory so that they no longer had to rely on others for their glass. A perfect round and low centerpiece this will be the focal point of any table setting. The plateau base is engraved with a star cutting creating a bright eye-catching center. Ready for your favorite flowers in the removeable, easy to clear trumpet vases.
Crystal, Silver, Bronze
$1,713
H 3.15 in Dm 2.56 in
Émile Gallé Art Nouveau Cameo Vase With Silver Mounting, Nancy, France 1904
By Émile Gallé
Located in Vienna, AT
Bulbous shoulder vase on a flush stand, short neck piece of colourless glass with white powder meltings, overlay in blue-violet and green, meadow flower decoration etched in various stages, matt etched inside and outside, Cameo signature 'Gallé' with star on the wall between the plants.. Mounted with later silver mouth in a smooth, slightly flared design, decorated on the outside with two sculptural branch and cone bundles. Silver mount hallmarked 'Minerve casquée' for 950 silver, France, and master's mark. Hand-made Cameo Glass: Glass overlaid with several layers, with high-cut worked out motifs. Since the middle of the 19th century, the design has also been done by etching. Cameo glass vessels were already being made in antiquity; at the end of the 19th century, Émile Gallé further developed this glass art, created Art Nouveau designs and employed a large factory in Nancy...
Glass
Pair of French Empire Style Cut Glass and Bronze Mounted Vases
Located in Essex, MA
Henry Ford II Estate Palm Beach. Circular waisted form with mounts on rim and base with paw feet.
Glass
Murano Fratelli Toso Art Glass Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Miami, FL
Murano Fratelli Toso Flower Vase This exquisite Murano art glass glass vase, attributed to the renowned Fratelli Toso studio, showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of Venetian gl...
Blown Glass, Art Glass
$10,190
H 11.42 in Dm 4.34 in
Austrian Jugendstil Glass Vase Tricolore Decoration with Metal Mount circa 1900
By Johann Lötz Witwe
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Glass vase manufactured by Johann Loetz Witwe Tricolore decoration tin metal mounting designed by Bitter & Gobbers ca. 1900 Austrian Jugendstil gilt mould-blown reduced and iridescen...
Glass
$126,260 / set
H 22 in W 10.5 in D 8 in
Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg. The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Bronze
$9,850 / set
H 6.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Pair of Russian Ormolu Mounted Fluted White Opaline Crystal Covered Bottles
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of 19th century Louis XVI style Russian hand diamond-cut white opalescent crystal and ormolu-mounted perfume bottles. This pair of hand diamond-cut crystal perfume bottle...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze & Cut Glass Footed Bowls Attributed to F. & C. Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of small scale footed bowls. In gilt (vermeil) bronze and cut glass. Attributed to F. & C. Osler. With Egyptian Revival style hairy paw feet and removable cut glass bowls that rest in a ring supported by four legs. Simply a wonderful pair of footed bowls...
Bronze
Unusual Pair of Ormolu-Mounted Cut-Glass Lamps by F. & C. Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A pair of ormolu-mounted and cut-glass lamps the bases with four paw feet mounting a slice cut foot this supporting five ormolu arms terminating with scalloped edge posy vases, the s...
Ormolu
Superb Quality Ormolu-Mounted Table Jardinière by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The richly cut bowl with fields of raised diamonds and diagonal slice cutting this surmounted on lion paw feet supporting finely cast handles with beaded knurled decoration.
Ormolu
An Elaborately Cut Victorian Glass Lamp By F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An elaborately cut lamp the foot silver mounted with cut glass ball supporting a faceted knop and slice cut stem this terminating in a heavily cut oil font.
Silver