A charming antique French cut glass liquor or aperitif service. Comprising of a decanter and five cordial / shot glasses. Each piece is of quality hand blown glass done in a lovely cornflower blue color with clear applied handle and bases, enhanced with a fluted swirl pattern similar to Baccarat's Bambous Tors. Richly decorated with hand painted rocailles and flowers done in raised gold enamel. The decanter features a ruffled rim, terminating to a slender neck with flared body and retains a solid cut crystal faceted stopper. Marked on the base of the stopper with the number 33, corresponding with the matching number on the mouth of the decanter, indicating the stopper is original. These pieces are unmarked. Attributed to Saint Louis. A similar form of decanter is illustrated in the Saint Louis catalog for 1908. Like Baccarat, the Saint Louis cristallerie marked their wares with a paper label prior to their acid etched branding and these old paper labels were often lost, washed away or worn with time. Ideal for your favorite liquor, and amaze your guests to an enjoyable after dinner liqueur served in these charming antique cordial glasses. In very good condition throughout for age and type with general wear commensurate with use. One cordial glass with some nicking to the rim edge. The decanters measures 6 5/8" in height and 3 3/8" diameter base, the glasses measure 2 1/8" tall with a 1 1/4" diameter opening .
About the Saint Louis Cristallerie: Saint Louis has a very rich history in the world of glass making. For as long as can be remembered, the province of Lorraine, on the eastern border of France, has been a region graced with rich sand and expansive forests. Supported by the abundance of these natural resources, the art of making glass flourished in this area.
The glassworks of Saint Louis were originally known as Münzthal when they were founded in 1586. Almost two centuries later, in 1767, Louis XV granted the glassworks of Münzthal the honorable title of "Verreries Royales" and placed them under the protection of his patron saint, "Saint Louis."
On the eve of the French Revolution, the House of Saint Louis was the first on the Continent to perfect the manufacture of lead crystal. In 1781, The Royal Academy of Sciences acknowledged the high quality of this crystal when they recognized Saint Louis as a Cristallerie.
Saint Louis played a central role in crystal's golden age of the 19th century. The House's art revealed major technical and ornamental innovations: the master of color, the discovery of crystal opaline, the application of fine 24 karat gold, the development of new engraving and cutting techniques, and the production of the first millefiori paperweights and filigreed pieces. Each of these artistic dimensions remains present in the current collection.
In the House's rich history, the 20th century has proven to be as illustrious as the previous three. Today, the master craftsmen of Saint Louis, as they have for over four hundred years, continue to blow crystal by mouth. Cutters and gilders shape and decorate each piece with their hands and thus each Saint Louis creation is unique. These exceptional artisans, who have perfected their talents under the tutelage of their grandparents, and who will in turn train their own grandchildren, are considered to be among the finest craftsmen in the world.
Over the centuries, Saint Louis has been coveted by kings, emperors, heads of state and connoisseurs. Saint Louis is an integral part of French cultural heritage as it continues to blend a sense of tradition with contemporary relevance. Since 1995, the Cristallerie de Saint Louis has been part of the Hermes group, one of the world's most prestigious luxury brands, and one of the very few that has successfully retained its independence.