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| Glass
began to be worked in the village of Münzthal in 1586. A little less than two centuries
later, in 1767, when the Duchy of Lorraine became part of Kingdom of France, Louis XV
accorded the Münzthal glassworks the very prized designation of « Royal Glasswork ».
The glassworks was placed under the protection of his patron saint, « Saint-Louis ». From this time, a prestigious signature was associated with the most astonishing creation of the era : crystal, born of the labor of man. Just before the French Revolution, the glassworks adopted the name « crystal works », after the Royal Academy of Science cited the quality of its crystal, which had been perfected at Saint-Louis since 1781. The 19th century was for Saint-Louis Crystal, an era rich in progress and innovation. Saint-Louis became known as a specialist in creating colored crystal objects in opaline, double crystal and filigree. Saint-Louis developed procedures in chemical engraving that allowed for decorating crystal with incredible finesse, as well as decorating with gold, with its incomparable patina. Though its innovations Saint-Louis achieved great success among affluent consumers, particularly with its « crystal dinner services » which from then on adorned every elegant table. A breath of 20th century creativity gave birth to new forms, and today the glass-blowers, cutters and decorators in Saint-Louis Crystal are among the worlds most respected craftsmen, the direct heirs of a centuries-old tradition… |
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