crystal

The King's Speech and the History of the Tommy Glass

Filed under: Decor

The movie The King's Speech is up for 12 Academy Awards and has contributed to renewed interest in the early 20th century and the life of King George VI. The glasses shown above are an example of how designs from that period still resonate today. The Tommy Glass is one of Saint-Louis Crystal's most iconic pieces. Created in 1928 in honor of the British "Tommy" soldiers, Saint Louis Crystal named its new emblematic collection, "Tommy." The collection debuted at a 1938 dinner honoring King George VI of The Kings Speech. The luncheon was held in the hall of mirrors at The Palace of Versailles and eleven glasses were set in front of each of the two hundred guests (as shown in the photo at right). The Queen Mum was in attendance with her husband. The Tommy glasses are still being made in the same careful handcrafted way and are now available in a palette of eight colors showcasing Saint Louis' various crystal cuts including diamond, pearl, olive, and star.

Saint-Louis's history started before the invention of crystal (the addition of lead to glass). It was founded in 1586 Lorraine, France and is one of Europe's oldest cristalleries. At the beginning of the 19th century, Saint-Louis became very popular with French society, and won many awards. Most recently, in 1995, the company was purchased by Hermes, in the effort to keep this French craftsmanship alive and still flourishing in France. Since the beginning almost nothing has changed in the production process. After 10 years of apprenticeship, which is usually generational, passed from father to son, to grandson, the new craftsman can begin working with the masters. Each piece is mouth blown and later cut by hand and no two pieces are exactly the same. A variety of Saint-Louis Crystal's jewel-like wares are available at Michael C. Fina. The colorful glasses shown above are $470 each.

Tags: crystal, crystal glasses, kings speech, saint-louis crystal, tommy glass

Glenfiddich Crystal Stag part of Million-Pound Marketing Campaign

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

One of the top selling single malts in the world, Glenfiddich is in the midst of a million-pound re-branding campaign that centers around the crystal stag sculpture you see here.

Crafted by Chris Blade and Katya Filmus at the National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland in England, each sculpture is made by the cire perdue method from 50 kilograms of 24% lead crystal glass that replicates the deer's head which forms the Glenfiddich emblem. It sits atop a gondola display with the distillery's core range of single malt expressions arranged in a spiral point-of-sale.

Following similar displays erected at London Heathrow and Frankfurt airports, the third in the series was recently unveiled in Dubai, with a total of 21 examples set for proliferation at travel retail locations around the world. Follow the link to view the sculpture in the making.

Tags: crystal, dubai, duty free, glenfiddich, national glass centre, stag, sunderland, travel retail, university of sunderland, whiskey, whisky

Baccarat Wins Luxist's Editors' Choice Award for Best in Decor

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Baccarat, the French tableware, crystal and lighting company extraordinaire, is the winner of the Luxist Awards' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Decor.

Though it is nearly two and a half centuries old, its pieces are considered to be cutting edge. From its delicately gilded champagne buckets and champagne flutes in the emblematic Baccarat colors to its vases, knife holders and decorative objects---not to mention the exquisite crystal chandelier hanging above, Baccarat is an everlasting fantasy. A Baccarat piece is much more than just a valuable object---it epitomizes a certain concept of fulfillment and perfection.

A table laid with Baccarat is nothing short of a theater of the senses. As one Baccarat lover puts it: "eyes gleam with the sparkle of a thousand reflections". Whether it is wine, champagne or even water, when it is enjoyed from an exquisitely cut Baccarat crystal glass, it is an magical experience that involves all of the senses: taste, touch, hearing, sight and smell.

Gallery: Baccarat Crystal

Tags: awards-main, Baccarat, crystal, editors choice, editors choice award, luxist-awards, phillip starck, Phillipe Starck, winners-decor, winners-editors-choice

Continue reading “Baccarat Wins Luxist's Editors' Choice Award for Best in Decor”

Pierre Ferrand Launches 100-Year-Old Cognac

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Pierre Ferrand, one of only a handful of Cognac houses in France specializing in old Cognacs from the coveted Grande Champagne region that are not blended with lesser varieties, has come out with a new 100-year-old bottling.

The limited edition L'Hommage de Pierre Ferrand was born of Cognac distilled prior to World War I stored in the shade of Ferrand's Logis d'Angeac cellar for more than a century.

Bottled in an exquisitely crafted, numbered crystal carafe, only 10 bottles will be available for sale in the U.S. by special order for the suggested retail price of about $3,000 apiece.

The aged spirit has taken on a beautiful dark shimmering bronze color after its long repose in its wooden cask. Exceptionally smooth, it has aromas of prune and candied fruits. Each bottle comes in a wooden case with a certificate of authenticity.

"We wanted to offer something supremely special from our cellars," notes Alexandre Gabriel, president/owner of Cognac Ferrand. "We chose a beautiful bottle to contain this rare Cognac [but] the taste is even more beautiful than the bottle."

Tags: brandy, Cognac, Cognac Ferrand, crystal, France, Pierre Ferrand, spirits, World War I

World's Most Expensive Whisky to be Auctioned in November

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions, Charity

The world's most expensive bottle of whisky, a one-of-a-kind crystal Lalique decanter holding the oldest and rarest Macallan single malt ever (above), will be auctioned off by Sotheby's in New York on November 15 for an estimated $150,000 or more. The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue, which we previewed back in April, is filled with 64 years and older Macallan single malt Scotch, vatted together from three sherry seasoned Spanish oak casks. The famed Speyside distillery commissioned the legendary crystal artisan to create the decanter using the ancient "cire perdue" or "lost wax" method. Painstakingly hand crafted by Lalique exclusively for The Macallan, and inspired by the beauty of The Macallan's 150 hectare estate in north-eastern Scotland, it's based upon a ship's decanter of the 1820s. Proceeds from the historic sale will be donated to charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: auction, charity, charity: water, crystal, decanter, Lalique, Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, Sothebys, The Macallan, whisky, worlds most expensive

iPhone Docks by Calypso Crystal

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Few things can ruin the aesthetic of a room faster than the obtrusively artificial and mechanical look of many electronics but that's not the case at all with this 'Crystal Dock' iPhone charger by Calypso Crystal. Meticulously handcrafted by master glassworkers in a process that takes several days and undergoes rigorous quality assurance checks, there are four leaded crystal designs to choose from -- each is a little work of art in and of itself. The most valuable of the collection is called the Aurora. Finished with a deep sandblast treatment, finely polished, and then painted by hand with platinum, no two Aurora's will be the same and each will be numbered and limited to a total of 999 pieces. Fits the iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G, 2G and the iPod Touch. $349

Gallery: iPhone Dock by Calypso Crystal

Source

Tags: crystal, iphone, iphone dock

The Classicist: Hennessy and Berluti Create the Ultimate Cognac Experience

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Shoes, Men's Style, The Classicist

Famed French cognac maker Hennessy, the world's oldest cognac house, has unveiled a $23,000 limited edition XO Mathusalem bottling in a bespoke leather trunk by famed shoemaker Berluti. The two luxe brands, both part of the LVMH luxury goods empire, teamed up to create the ultimate cognac experience; only 150 pieces will be made most of which will be sold in Asia and Russia. The XO Mathusalem comes in a six liter (1.6 gallon) hand-blown crystal decanter, originally designed for Hennessy by the Marquis de Geoffre in 1947 for Hennessy; each bottle has its edition number engraved upon it. Designed by Olga Berluti (the fourth generation of the Berluti family) every Hennessy Mathusalem by Berluti chest is signed by her. She based her design for the chest on a 400-year-old salt box she had inherited from her parents – a Venetian tradition whereby such boxes are presented to newlyweds who toss the salt over their shoulders for luck.

Etched with engravings and ancient maps, as a symbol of the treasured cognac contained within, the handmade chest features a crocodile-motif clasp and is designed to store a collection of watches or other precious objects and be handed down as an heirloom. "We wanted to create something that will remain beyond the sharing of the cognac," Hennessy chairman and CEO Bernard Peillon said at the chest's recent unveiling in China. "The chest and cognac become something very personal. Once you finish the bottle, you can keep the memory of it. Olga wanted to create something special that tells the story of her growing up in Venice and her family building gondolas. You can say it's a work of art. We like the poetry of it and the romanticism in Berluti's personal story." Each chest takes 70 hours to build and inside each one is a catenella, a wooden element found in Venetian gondolas upon which is carved the gondolier's initials and the boatyard's hallmark. A certificate of ownership accompanies each trunk as well.

Gallery: Hennessy Mathusalem by Berluti

Tags: Berluti, bespoke, brandy, cognac, crystal, decanter, france, Hennessy, leather, LVMH, trunk, Venice

Continue reading “The Classicist: Hennessy and Berluti Create the Ultimate Cognac Experience”

Royal Salute Whisky Launches 62 Gun Salute in Bespoke Gold & Crystal Bottle

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Royal Salute, part of the Chivas Brothers luxury whisky stable, is releasing a new limited edition Scotch in a gold and crystal decanter to honor the Queen of England. Dubbed 62 Gun Salute in homage to the fusillade fired at the Tower of London every June to mark the Queen's official birthday and accession to the throne, the exclusive Scotch was created with the input of four generations of master blenders and each whisky used is at least 40 years old. Presented in an exquisite hand crafted Dartington Crystal decanter decorated in 24 carat gold and crowned with a cut crystal stopper, the result of 40 hours of artisanal craftsmanship, it will go on sale at the end of the year priced at $2,200 per bottle. The most prestigious expression within Royal Salute's permanent collection, it is available in limited supply due to its exceptional age and extraordinary rarity.

Gallery: 62 Gun Salute

Tags: Chivas Regal, crystal, decanter, gold, London, Queen of England, Royal Salute, Scotch, Scotland, whiskey, whisky

Waterford Opens New Visitors Center

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Waterford Crystal welcomed in a new era with the official opening of the House of Waterford Crystal on the Mall in the heart of Waterford City in Ireland this week. The new compound includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, visitor center and a retail store. It has been 18 months since the former company plant at Kilbarry closed its doors after the brand went into receivership. The new center offers over 100 jobs for employees. The Irish Independent reports that it is hoped that at least 200,000 visitors will come to the new Waterford center rising eventually to equal the numbers for the old plant at Kilbarry. Much of Waterford's crystal is now created in central and eastern Europe but the new plant will produce around 40,000 pieces and will serve as a central hub for the brand's designers.

This new center is the result of an agreement between WWRD Holdings Limited , the luxury goods group which now owns and operates the Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton brands, and Waterford City Council (as shown above, the Irish, American and British flags fly outside the center). The new facility represents more than just a new place to showcase Waterford, it shows that the brand hasn't given up, that the tradition lives on. The House of Waterford is located two miles from the city center on the N25 Cork Road in Waterford, Ireland. Factory tours are open to the public all year round, Monday to Sunday and guided tours are also available seven days a week. For more details on scheduling a visit, www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com

Tags: crystal, ireland, waterford, waterford crystal

Lalique Cire Perdue: Oldest Macallan Ever Bottled to be Auctioned for Charity

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions, Charity

Famed Speyside distillery The Macallan and legendary crystal artisan Lalique have produced a one-of-a-kind decanter, created by the ancient "cire perdue" or "lost wax" method, holding the oldest and rarest Macallan ever bottled. The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue decanter, created to celebrate the 150th René Lalique's birth and containing a 64 years old Macallan single malt whisky, will be auctioned off by Sotheby's on November 15, 2010 in New York. All proceeds from the sale, which is expected to top $75,000, will be donated to charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. For the next eight months, The Macallan in Lalique: Cire Perdue decanter will travel around the world from Paris to New York via Madrid, London, Moscow, Seoul, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Taipei, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. The Cire Perdue decanter was designed and painstakingly hand crafted by Lalique exclusively for The Macallan, inspired by the beauty of The Macallan's 150 hectare estate in north-eastern Scotland.

The decanter is based upon a ship's decanter of the 1820s, the decade in which The Macallan was founded, and features a beautifully engraved panorama of The Macallan estate by the river Spey. The 64 years old Macallan has been vatted together from three casks, all built from sherry seasoned Spanish oak. The first was filled in 1942, the second in 1945 and the third in January 1946, from which the age of this great Macallan has been taken. Prior to the release of this 64 years old Macallan in the Cire Perdue decanter, the previous oldest Macallan released by the distillery was the 60 years old, distilled in 1926 and bottled in 1986, of which only forty bottles were ever produced. The lost wax process is an ancient practice originally developed to cast large pieces in bronze. After first modeling a piece in wax, it is covered with plaster and then sent to the oven to bake the clay while the wax melts. Finally, molten crystal is poured in the emptied shape.

Tags: crystal, decanter, Lalique, Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, Sothebys, The Macallan, whisky

Baccarat's New Crystal Jewelry Collection

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Baccarat, which is renowned for its unique expertise and bold creativity in the making of fine crystal, has launched the Bouchons de Carafe collection, a new jewelry line designed by Elie Top, a world-renowned jewelry and accessories designer.

Baccarat, which has long created beautiful jewelry collections and fashion accessories, asked Top to create a jewelry line that interprets the Baccarat spirit in his own way. In response, the designer came up with the Bouchons de Carafe Collection, which is the French name that refers to the stoppers made for the fine crystal bottles that graced luxurious dining tables and elegant dressing tables in bygone days.

Gallery: Baccarat's Bouchons de Carafe Collection

Baccarat's Crystal and Yellow Gold Pendant

Baccarat's crystal and white gold pendant

Baccarat's crystal and yellow gold cuff bracelet

Baccarat's crystal and yellow gold round ring

Tags: baccarat, Bouchons de Carafe, BouchonsDeCarafe, crystal, Elie Top, ElieTop, jewelry, luxist-awards

Continue reading “Baccarat's New Crystal Jewelry Collection”

Marcel Wanders United Crystal Wood Collection from Baccarat

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Luxist attended the premiere of the United Crystal Woods collection, from famed Dutch designer Marcel Wanders for Baccarat, held at the Museum of Arts & Design, with a gorgeous view of Columbus Circle. Baccarat, winner of the Luxist Readers' Choice Award is the ultimate in luxury glassware. Each piece is entirely handmade in the Baccarat village of France. The heavy weighted crystal of the classic Baccarat we were handed when entering made the champagne taste divine. We quickly realized, while exploring the latest collection, that drinking out of a Baccarat glass is the ONLY way to drink champagne.

Wanders has collaborated over the years with nearly every major designer, including Flor, Vitra, B&B Italia and Bisazza. But nothing could prepare us for the latest Baccarat collection, easily Wander's best collaboration to date. It all began with a dream Wanders had, after a long dinner party, waking up with his head on the table, in a room full of gorgeous empty glasses. "I woke up in the forest of the united crystals," he said in his artist statement. "Too much light forcing me to close my eyes, too many sparkles for a heavy night, boys will always be boys."

Gallery: Marcel Wanders for Baccarat

Tags: baccarat, crystal, marcel wanders, MarcelWanders, wine glasses, WineGlasses

Continue reading “Marcel Wanders United Crystal Wood Collection from Baccarat”

Jaime Hayon for Gaia & Gino: Valencia Collection

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Coming this May is the latest from designer Jaime Hayon for Gaia & Gino called the Valencia collection. Featuring a combination of Tealight holders and candlestick holders, all the pieces are meant to fit into each other to be stacked and arranged in any number of creative ways. Handmade and sandblasted by hand, the pieces all use clean lines, varying textures, and angles and clefts to play up the light and make the most of the crystal structure. Varying heights and lopsided arrangements also give off a sense of what I would call "sophisticated whimsy." Priced from $55 - $200 each.

Via Cool Hunting

Gallery: The Valencia Collection

Source

Tags: candles, crystal, gaia and gino, GaiaAndGino, jaimy hayon, JaimyHayon, valencia

The $35,000 Louis Vuitton Whisky Case

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Men's Style

Famed French luxury goods house Louis Vuitton has come out with an updated, ultra-luxe version of the classic Whisky Case portable bar that the firm first offered in 1955. Available by special order priced at about $35,000, it's wrapped in elegant Taiga leather, though you can order it in iconic monogram canvas as well. And whereas with its compartment for mixer the previous model was more of a Scotch and soda case, if you will, the new incarnation demands nothing less than the finest single malt. Constructed entirely by hand at Vuitton's atelier in France with fittings, hasps and locks of silvered solid brass, it comes with a silver ice bucket and tongs, silver cocktail sticks in a pull-out drawer, four crystal whiskey tumblers, a crystal decanter with a silver lid, and two crystal "Coupelle" dishes in separate compartments.

Tags: bar, crystal, France, leather, Louis Vuitton, LouisVuitton, luggage, portable bar, PortableBar, silver, whiskey, whisky

The Glacier Ring by Swarovski

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

I'm not one for enormous jewels and gems on my jewelry (I know, call me crazy) but this Glacier Ring by Swarovski really appeals to me. Maybe it's because there is no large bling set onto a band so much as the bling is the band. Appropriately named after a mass of ice, this Swarovski crystal cocktail ring is faceted to catch both the light and the attention of your fellow party goers and is gold-plated inside for comfort. A perfect winter accessory as it evokes feelings of snow and sparkles and will coordinate with everything. £142

Source

Tags: crystal, glacier, jewelry, ring, rings, swarovski

crystal

Featured Galleries

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular

Also on AOL