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.
Very Large Pair Antique English Cut Crystal Gilt Metal Candelabra Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in London, GB
Very Large Pair Antique English Cut Crystal Gilt Metal Candelabra Osler English, c. 1880 Height 183.5cm / 186cm, diameter 40cm This luxurious pair of large antique candelabra showc...
Crystal, Metal
Cut Crystal Lamp By F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Norwood, NJ
F&C Osler marked cut crystal lamp. Silver over bronze mounted fine quality cut crystal lamp. Of elegant column form with flared base and tulip form top. 2...
Crystal, Silver Plate, Bronze
$277,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 86 in W 33 in D 33 in
Cristalleries De Baccarat, a Large Pair of French Cut-Crystal Tsarine Torcheres
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Cristalleries De Baccarat, A Large Pair of French Cut-Crystal Twenty-Four Light Tsarine Torcheres, Standing Floor Chandeliers. "A Magnificent Pair of Chandeliers" Each central stem...
Crystal
$6,750
H 27.56 in Dm 21.66 in
Monumental F. & C. Osler Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Gilt Bronze Gallery
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Nottingham, GB
Monumental F. & C. Osler Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Gilt Bronze Gallery and Classical Festoon Decoration IG221831 An exceptional grand-scale plafonnier by F. & C. Os...
Crystal, Brass
19th Century English Cut Crystal Chandelier, Signed F & C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This six light chandelier by the renowned firm of F & C Osler, is of rare design and a first rate example the the glass cutters art! Originally gas powere...
Crystal
$4,387
H 23.63 in Dm 16.93 in
F. & C. Osler Extra Large Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Ram's Head Ring
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Nottingham, GB
F. & C. Osler Extra Large Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Ram's Head Cast Brass Gallery IG221833 An exceptional large-scale plafonnier by F. & C. Osler, combining a deepl...
Crystal, Brass
$3,375
H 21.66 in Dm 16.15 in
F. & C. Osler Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Cast Brass Swan Hook Gallery
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Nottingham, GB
F. & C. Osler Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Cast Brass Swan Hook Gallery IG221834 A refined and elegant plafonnier by F. & C. Osler, combining exceptional hand-cut crys...
Crystal, Brass
Osler Crystal Cut Glass Six-Arm Chandelier
By F. & C. Osler
Located in London, GB
An elegant Osler crystal cut glass chandelier of finely proportioned form, centred by a shaped baluster standard richly decorated with diamond-cut detailing leading up to an upturned...
Crystal
$4,387
H 31.5 in Dm 18.12 in
Exceptional F. & C. Osler Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Faraday & Son Frame
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Nottingham, GB
Exceptional F. & C. Osler Satin Cut Crystal Plafonnier with Faraday & Son Reeded Brass Gallery IG221816 A rare and beautifully composed plafonnier by Faraday & Osler — ...
Crystal, Brass, Silver Plate
Fine Quality Eight Light Cut-Glass Antique Chandelier by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine quality eight-light cut-glass chandelier by F&C Osler of Birmingham the main baluster shaped stem centered by eight drop hung rope twist reverse crooks these with flute cut co...
Silver Plate
Unusual 15-Light Cut Glass Antique Chandelier by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine quality cut glass fifteen-light chandelier by F&C Osler the main baluster shaped shaft surmounted by a drop hung canopy and a draping pan with cascading drapery terminating at...
Silver Plate
$8,100 / set
H 16.15 in Dm 6.7 in
F. & C. Osler Cut Crystal Pendant Lights in Gilt Brass Frames, Rare Set of Five
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Nottingham, GB
F. & C. Osler Cut Crystal Pendant Lights in Gilt Brass Frames, Rare Set of Five A run of five cut crystal pendant lights by F. & C. Osler of Birmingham, each bowl held within a gilt ...
Crystal, Brass
$175,518
H 68.12 in Dm 64.97 in
A Rare Monumental Cut-Crystal Twenty-Four-Light Chandelier, by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Rare Monumental Cut-Crystal Twenty-Four-Light Chandelier, by F&C Osler This rare electrolier or chandelier has a cut glass canopy and bowl form corona issuing six downward scrolli...
Crystal