A French cut-crystal twenty-four light torchère by the Cristalleries de Baccarat, 20th century

Acquired directly to Baccarat by the present owner in September 1991.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Lerch, Moscou, Splendeurs des Romanov, Exhibition catalogue, 11 July – 13 September 2009, Monaco, pp. 214-217.

M. Lerch, Baccarat: la légende du cristal, Exhibition catalogue, 15 October 2014 – 4 January 2015, Paris, pp.68-69.

D. Sautot, The Story of Baccarat, Paris, 1993.

Through the unusual clarity of the glass, the evident weight, the uniformity of the surface allowing for bold engraving and cutting, this impressive torchère called "de la Tsarine" showcases all the hallmarks that made Baccarat the leading glass manufacture in France.

Cristalleries de Baccarat

The origins of the manufacture, also known as the Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat, can be traced to 1764. On this year, King Louis XV accorded to the Bishop of Metz permission to establish a glass factory on his land, in the small village of Baccarat in Lorraine, in order to compete with the celebrated Bohemian production. Lorraine is traditionally a glass-making region, due to the abundance of silica in the soil and due to its large forests, which supplied the wood to fuel the ovens. Francois-Eugène de Fontenay, who joined the company in 1841, discovered that the addition of nickel oxide in the manufacturing process resulted in a perfectly clear product, 'crystal glass', that was free of discoloration and that imitated precious rock crystal. For this discovery, the Baccarat company was awarded a gold medal at the French Expositions des Produits de l'Industrie in 1844. Continually experimenting with their manufacturing process, the quality of Baccarat's 'crystal glass' improved, reaching the highest level by the end of the century.

The Baccarat manufacture rapidly became a leading producer with highly skilled maître-verriers. In 1823, Baccarat participated for the first time at the National Exhibition. Louis XVIII was seduced by the quality of the pieces presented, which received the praise of the jury and the first gold medal. As a result of their success and innovations, the manufacture gradually consolidated its reputation, which allowed it to dominate the French market.

Historical documents from Baccarat highlight the model for these torchères enjoyed great success. They are designed after a drawing for a model showcased at the 1867 Exposition Universelle. A pair of almost identical torchères is seen on a photograph of Baccarat's shop at 30 bis on the rue de Paradis, Paris (D. Sautot, op.cit., p.43). Some of these torchères dated from the late 19th century/20th century have appeared on the market including a pair sold at Sotheby's, London, 21 January 2019, lot 162 (£93,750) and one torchère offered Christie's New York, 13 April 2017, lot 178.

The Russian fascination for Baccarat

In 1867, Tsar Alexander II visited the Exposition Universelle in Paris and fell in awe in the sight of Baccarat’s stand which showcased a 10 meter high twenty-four light candelabrum, tables, an immense fountain more than seven meters high, vases and chandeliers. This visit initiated a long-lasting relationship with the firm and resulted in a series of commissions by the Romanov family. For example, in 1867, the Tsar ordered for the private apartments of his wife, Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna a series composed of a pedestal table, a fountain and a twenty-four light candelabrum. A pair of monumental candelabra, first exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1878 were commissioned by the Tsar in 1896. Another pair of the same design of the latter candelabra was sold Christie's New York, 13 April 2016, lot 21 ($1,325,000).