Set of Multicolored Chenonceaux Glasses in Sèvres Crystal, 1960s

Set of multicolored Sèvres Chenonceaux crystal glasses, made in the 1960s

Ø 9 cm, h 22 cm

Sèvres crystal (not to be confused with the renowned porcelain produced by the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres) represents French excellence in the field of high-end lead crystal. Its history is closely linked both to royal luxury and to the figure of Pierre d’Avesn.

The glassmaking tradition of Sèvres began in 1750, when the Marquise de Pompadour (Louis XV’s favorite) supported the creation of an art glassworks in Sèvres to compete with English and Venetian production.
Over the centuries, the manufactory changed ownership several times and absorbed other historic glassworks, such as Cristallerie de St. Louis and Verrerie de Landier in Choisy-le-Roi.
In 1970, the brand adopted its definitive name, “Cristallerie de Sèvres,” specializing exclusively in finely crafted, hand-worked crystal. Sèvres crystal stands in stark contrast to Italian maximalism (Versace) or Murano’s use of color (Seguso). Its aesthetic is based on several characteristics, including absolute transparency: Sèvres crystal is renowned for its exceptionally high lead oxide content (over 30%), which gives the pieces an inimitable brilliance, light refraction, and “sound” (the typical clear, ringing tone).
Many animal sculptures and vases feature molded and acid-etched sections (satin effects resembling ice), combined with perfectly transparent, geometric bases or details.
In glassware sets and decanters, the crystal is hand-cut with diamond wheels to create facets that capture the light like precious stones.