Ref.14040
BACCARAT, Neo-Greek Crystal Chandelier with Five Lights, after 1875

This significant five-light chandelier in the Neo-Greek style was created by Baccarat in the 19th century. Founded during the reign of Louis XV, the Baccarat crystal glassworks earned international fame through its participation in major exhibitions throughout the 19th century and up until 1937. During this period and beyond, the factory distinguished itself by the excellence of its production and its continuous search for innovation, winning numerous medals. Baccarat’s creations influenced other European glass and crystal manufacturers in the decades that followed, setting the standard for both craftsmanship and stylistic models. This chandelier reflects the Neo-Greek taste, which was prominently featured in the factory’s productions at the 1867 Universal Exhibition. Along the central stem, several friezes of meanders – a motif characteristic of ancient Greek architecture, often used in 19th-century decorative arts – are arranged. In the upper section, some pendants also feature this same motif. At the ends of the chandelier’s arms, meticulously crafted by the Baccarat workshop, five opaque globes are adorned with a frieze alternating between two different palmette designs, connected by graceful scrolls. These details were achieved through an innovative acid-etching and transfer process, developed by the chemist Kessler, which also allowed for the frosted finish on the lighting globes. The crystal pendants add a certain richness to the overall design, which remains elegant and restrained, true to the Neo-Greek aesthetic. The chandelier is signed at the base of the stem. This molded block-letter signature first appeared in 1875, allowing us to date this chandelier’s production to after that year. The 1907-1908 Baccarat catalog lists a second Neo-Greek chandelier. However, in this later model, the style is less pronounced, appearing primarily in the transparent globes surrounding each light source. This chandelier is a fine example of Baccarat’s Neo-Greek production in the 19th century, particularly highlighted at the 1878 Universal Exhibition.