Very large antique overlay glass chandelier by Baccarat

Very large antique overlay glass chandelier by Baccarat
French, Late 19th Century
Height 220cm, diameter 130cm
 
This impressive late 19th century  chandelier, crafted in France by Baccarat and likely intended for export to India, demonstrates the fusion of European glassmaking expertise with South Asian taste for opulence.
 
The twelve-branch frame, richly adorned with cut and coloured glass, supports tall etched shades that diffuse the light with delicate brilliance. Rising above, the stem is decorated with enamelled and gilded floral motifs in red and green, culminating in a crown of radiating sprays. Both sculptural and decorative, the chandelier speaks to the 19th-century desire to transform functional lighting into an object of splendour.
 
Throughout the 19th century, French manufacturers such as Baccarat responded to new markets in western and southern Asia, where European glass had become highly sought after. These commissions frequently adapted French forms to incorporate jewel-like colour and elaborate floral ornament that resonated with Indian traditions of luxury. The chandelier shown here embodies this hybrid aesthetic: firmly rooted in French technical mastery yet enriched with details designed to appeal to South Asian patrons.
 
Such works quickly found their way into the courts and palaces of India, treasured as symbols of wealth and cosmopolitan refinement. A very similar chandelier was once owned by Salar Jung, the famed Hyderabadi collector, and later entered the collection of Doris Duke, illustrating the prestige associated with these magnificent export pieces.
 
Retaining its exceptional presence, this chandelier is a superb example of 19th century cross-cultural design. At once decorative and historically significant, it would make a striking addition to any collection, bringing with it the brilliance of French craftsmanship and the grandeur of Indian princely taste.
 
Artist/Maker: Baccarat (French, founded 1764)