Luxury Baccarat chandeliers Since its founding nearly 250 years ago, French luxury brand Baccarat, the world\'s most-renowned crystal producer, has been an inspiration for leading designers, including in recent years Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders and Yann Kersalé. In a coffee table book with text by Laurence Benaïm and Murray Moss, to be published this October, the crystal manufacturer celebrates its upcoming landmark anniversary.
Founded in 1764 upon royal degree by Louis XV, the crystal manufacturer is an icon of French art de vivre with a list of illustrious clients such as Louis XVIII, Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharajahs of India and Prince Rainier of Monaco. The crystal itself - including drinkware, chandeliers, vases, perfume bottles and even jewellery - has been produced over the past 250 years by an elite group of glass makers, engravers and gilders. Among Baccarat\'s current artisans are one Maître d\'art (recipient of a lifetime award for exceptional artisanal expertise) and 22 Best Craftsmen of France (recipients of the Meilleurs ouvriers de France title).
In 400 illustrations, the new book explores the history and prestige of the brand. Connoisseurs of art and craftsmanship can peruse through images of 300 emblematic Baccarat pieces, from the famous Harcourt glass, created in 1841, to masterpieces presented at World Fairs through the ages.
The coffee table book was written by Laurence Benaïm - founder of Stiletto magazine and author of the biographies Marie-Laure de Noailles (2001) and Yves Saint Lauren (2002), as well as of Requiem pour Yves Saint Laurent (2010) - and by Murray Moss, designer of the furniture brand of the same name.
Baccarat is due out this October from Rizzoli New York, priced at US $85.
Source: Relaxnews