Founded in 1764 with the permission of King Louis XV of France, Baccarat began producing crystal in 1816, laying the foundations for the house as we know it today. Unlike many French luxury houses named after their founders, Baccarat takes its name from the small town in Lorraine where its first glassworks was established.
Over more than 260 years, Baccarat has produced everything from wine glasses and tumblers to vases, lighting and decorative objects. Its finely cut crystal glassware remains among the house’s most recognizable creations.
The appeal of Baccarat crystal lies not only in the quality of the material but also in the craftsmanship behind it. Each piece passes through a series of processes, from glassblowing, which gives the molten material its shape, to cutting and polishing, which bring out the clarity and brilliance of the crystal. These skills continue to be practised at the house’s manufacture in Lorraine, where generations of craftspeople have worked with the material.
While maintaining its traditional techniques, Baccarat has also explored more contemporary approaches to design. One notable example is its collaboration with French designer Philippe Starck, who reinterpreted the house’s classic chandelier in black crystal. The brand has since worked with designers from different disciplines, including Virgil Abloh, bringing new perspectives to a material with a long history.
Today, Baccarat extends beyond individual objects into spaces where its collections can be experienced in use. Maison Baccarat in Paris is one such example. Here, crystal chandeliers, furniture and decorative pieces form part of a larger interior, allowing visitors to see how the house’s creations sit within an everyday setting. In New York, the Baccarat name can also be found on a luxury hotel.
From a glass on the dining table to a chandelier overhead, Baccarat has gradually expanded the ways in which its crystal is used and experienced. What interests me is how a house with such a long history of craftsmanship continues to find new settings for its work.
