The design industry has recently been buzzing with various new terms related to different types of interior solutions or decor objects. We decided to touch upon the topic of high-end glass, just to understand what it is, how to use it, for what spaces, and most importantly, how to buy and choose it.
What High-End Glass Is and Why People Spend a Fortune on It
Fine glassware, particularly crystal or Bohemian glass, has been popular among the nobility, aristocrats, and wealthy people for centuries. They were favored not just for status, but also for their extraordinary features. Such glass differs from a typical one in its light refraction abilities, color variations, delicate impression, and structural strength. And each type possesses its own unique properties that people with sophisticated aesthetics and a concept of ultra-style are able to appreciate.
And in the last 10 years or so, more than ever, high-end glass objects have enjoyed wild popularity, and people spend huge amounts of money on them. For example, to buy Daum crystal vase with a nod to exclusivity, you will have to shell out around 12,000 to 35,000 dollars, while Lalique will cost slightly less.
The cost is supported not just by the specific nature of the material, but also by the working methods. As usual, these are not mass-market collections. These are limited-edition lines, completely handmade, with patented techniques and decor capabilities. Very often, famous sculptors and artists are involved in creating such objects, or vice versa, new talents are discovered who can embody something truly new and masterful in glass. All these parameters define its value and its cost.
Luxury Glass Practical Uses in Contemporary Interior Design and Decor
Luxury glass, despite its monumentality, is suitable for embodiment in a wide variety of states. That is, in addition to aesthetics, it also offers functional capabilities.
Of course, the most typical forms are various vases, centerpieces, conceptual sculptures, and decor accessories such as candlesticks, jewelry boxes, trays, and so on.
Furniture art also widely utilizes this material for inlaying facades, massive crystal legs for tables and consoles, tabletops, and handmade handles on the fronts of various pieces.
Lighting objects, from small lamps and sconces to massive chandeliers at the level of art installations, with a special scenario of geometry and reflections.
Therefore, in high-budget interiors, you will find elite crystal, Murano glass, or mouth-blown objects in practically 100% of cases. Top decorators routinely welcome them in every project because without such optical effects — light refraction and crystal clarity — it is impossible for them to deliver to their clients the feeling of the ringing luxury of a space.
High-End Brands Shaping Glass Art
There are not so many manufactories and studios engaged in the production of limited collections and bespoke items. But they are the ones who dictate most of the trends in this direction of interior decor to the world. Unlike private individuals, these brands have built their history for centuries, developed their own methods of working with glass, and are rightfully considered a heritage of quality manual labor.
Baccarat
A French manufactory with a history of more than 250 years, which created crystal for French kings, Russian emperors, and Eastern maharajas, still produces elite glassware for people with high incomes. They work exclusively with traditional crystal glass with excellent transparency. They have their own unique iconic shades, which can be found predominantly in vases and chandeliers, as well as small decor items and figurines. Their best products that can be used in luxury spaces are:
- Eye. A win-win collection of diverse items. Each product has a double cut, horizontal wavy scratches on the outside and vertical ones on the inside, which creates a hypnotic effect.
- Lucky Butterfly — the most popular souvenir object of the brand and a frequent element of layered decor on coffee tables or consoles. A figurine with open wings, which is delivered in dozens of shades from clear to iridescent and gold.
- Octogone is a series of accessories like candlesticks, trays, boxes, solifleur vases, playing on the shape of an octagon — that very famous red pendant that decorates all the brand’s chandeliers.
Lalique
The House was founded during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras and still strictly follows these directions. Their artisans build every collection with a real focus on sculptural shapes and collectible art. The defining element of Lalique’s signature style is the contrast between clear and satin-finished frosted crystal. Artists work on the surface by hand to make it look and feel like soft skin or frozen ice. They carefully copy every little line in the shapes of people, plants, and animals, making them look like real sculptures. We can easily see this craftsmanship in these specific collections:
- Bacchantes vases — an absolute icon of the brand with a bas-relief of nude young priestesses. This masterpiece indicates the signature satin treatment of crystal, which mimics the velvetiness of human skin.
- Anemone — a series of decorative flowers. They are presented in various sizes, and therefore, they are often used in sets to adorn consoles. The center of each crystal petal is inlaid with drops of black enamel.
- Interior panels and wall art made of crystal slabs with relief patterns. For example, Merles & Raisins, which are integrated directly into walls, premium furniture doors, or bed headboards.
Daum
Truly one of the most conceptual brands at the intersection of design and high art. They became renowned for their use of the extraordinary ancient technology of pâte de verre, as well as proactive collaborations, such as with Salvador Dalí or César. In their assemblages, you will find not just glass, but real masterworks. Each product is unique, as the plaster mold is broken when the item is extracted.
We absolutely have to highlight these pieces:
- Animalistic sculptures with collectible value. The most widespread series are Aigles, Lions, Panthères, and running horses. They look like powerful museum artifacts.
- The Rose series in the Art Nouveau manner. Vases, bowls, and bottles are embellished with rose buds and leaves with jewelry-like detailing.
Preciosa
One of the ancient titans of Czech crystal art. The House designs chandeliers and architectural installations for palaces, opera houses, and royal yachts. Preciosa is known for its Bespoke Lighting projects, where crystal threads and pendants are integrated directly into ceiling and wall structures, becoming part of the building’s architecture. Some of their most popular creations include:
- Breath of Light — one of the most prominent and kinetic installations of the brand, which made a sensation at world exhibitions. It consists of hundreds of opal crystal spheres of dissimilar sizes.
- Crystal Rock — a cooperation with the famous designer Arik Levy. These are high-end lamps in the form of large, roughly cut pieces of raw crystal, resembling natural meteorites or blocks of ice.
- Pearl Drop — an exceptionally popular collection among decorators. The lamps are perfect crystal balls, inside of which a pearl made of frosted glass is hidden.
Our Final Advice
When it comes to objects of this level, purchasing without the professional guidance of a designer, art consultant, or curator is a huge risk. You can spend an impressive budget and get interior dissonance instead of a luxury space. A professional knows how to balance shine, textures, and volumes. In addition, they conduct direct negotiations with the manufactory if an item needs to be customized. Such a person does not just manage your purchase assistance, but will become a guarantor of its success and liquidity.
