Baccarat's Harcourt Collection - The Comprehensive Compendium of the Legend, the Icon
Baccarat's Harcourt
The Legend. The Icon.
The Harcourt collection, the oldest in the Baccarat archive, is reputed for its iconic design. Created in 1841, Harcourt stemware has been chosen by historical icons and has been a staple of French power, selected since the age of Napoleon III to its contemporary use in the Palais de l’Élysée (official residence of the President of France in Paris). Due to its heritage and timeless design, it has also birthed several collections as part of the extended Harcourt family. We bring you a comprehensive compendium of Baccarat's Harcourt range:
1. Harcourt 1841
The one that started it all, the Harcourt 1841 glass is characterized by its architectural form: a stunning shape from the flat cut pattern of the bowl to the bevelled geometry of the stem down to the hexagonal foot. It is luxurious yet simple. Initially, it was designed without a name and commissioned by King Louis-Phillipe during his reign. It wasn't until 1925 during the International Exposition of Decorative and Industrial Arts that it was named after Pauline d’Harcourt who belonged to one of the oldest Norman aristocratic families.
You can get yourself a piece of timeless history today for your barware collection. Available in three sizes: Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large.
The 1841 stemware range also include the usual barware staples including matching tumblers, highballs, decanters, and champagne flutes. A vase was also added to the collection in 2013 demonstrating the timelessness of the 1841 design.
2. Harcourt Louis-Phillipe / Red Knob
In 2013, Baccarat paid tribute to King Louis-Phillipe with a release of the Harcourt Glass with a red knob in the signature Baccarat red hue. The original monogrammed set was created for the king's summer residence, the Château d'Eu, and quite possibly grazed the lips of Queen Victoria on her 1843 visit to the residence. The faceted knob and the pattern cut under the foot bestow it with unequalled presence. The red knob design also extended to champagne coupes, a candlestick, and a vase. A special variant of the red knob glass was also created with a heart etched on - Harcourt Love Glass.
The signature Baccarat red crystal requires careful mixing in of gold lustre into molten crystal to achieve the most regal of red hues. Subtle use of the red crystal adds dimension to the classics, like in the 1841 Harcourt Champagne Coupes Red Knob or the 1841 Harcourt Candlestick Red Knob.
3. Harcourt Empire
The Harcourt Empire glass shares the same structural outline as the Harcourt glass, but is adorned with exquisite golden embellishment. The flat cut pattern of the bowl has golden decorative shapes applied with a light hand, and a gilded rim. The geometric bevelled stem remains classical, while the hexagonal foot is gold-trimmed around its perimeter. This art-deco marriage of lucid crystal and graceful gold adds a refined elegance to the collection.
The Highcourt Empire collection is complete with a full range of stemware including the Harcourt Glass (with three sizes: Medium, Large and Extra Large), a general decanter and whisky decanter, and matching champagne flutes, tumblers, and highballs.
4. Harcourt Eve
In 2013 the Harcourt glass reinvents its distinguishing features and is renamed "Eve". Despite adopting the Harcourt's iconic angular design, a sleek and graceful silhouette gives the taller and finer glass a more modernistic feel. This new lightness also translates into a heightened clarity and brilliance. The Harcourt Eve represents an evolution as part of the creative process while preserving traditions, historical values, and timeless quality.
The Harcourt Eve collection consists of the redesigned glass (in medium, large and extra large sizes), and champagne flutes.
5. Harcourt Tulipe and Harcourt Proost by Marcel Wanders
Marcel Wanders at Bal des Lumières – opening of Ducasse Baccarat (Credits: SASKIA LAWAKS)
Renowned designer Marcel Wanders was given the opportunity to give his own take on Baccarat's iconic designs. With decades of design under his belt, he used the tulip and the Harcourt 1841 as the inspiration to create the Harcourt Tulipe collection which borrows the hexagonal base and knob but adds a floral curvature for an organic touch. It is available in a plate, champagne coupe, and flower bowl form. The Harcourt Proost Beer Glass is also a majestic design that infuses angular elements within the curvature of the glass itself.
6. Other Ranges
Harcourt Talleyrand
The fusion of the Harcourt and Talleyrand collections led to a chic Harcourt Talleyrand tumbler design, available in small and medium sizes.
Harcourt HIC! Ceiling Lamp by Phillipe Starck
Designed for Baccarat by Philippe Starck, the Harcourt HIC! ceiling light, crafted from silvered clear crystal, glistens beautifully in all lighting.
Harcourt Our Fire / My Fire Candlesticks by Phillipe Starck
The Our Fire / My Fire candlesticks by Phillipe Starck reimagined a candleholder in a lamp format, with the lamp section referencing the Harcourt tumbler design. Harcourt My Fire features a tumbler-like coloured red compartment, whereas the Our Fire collection features a monocoloured crystal shade in red, silver, or gold variants.
Harcourt Faunacrystopolis by Jamie Hayon
