For almost 200 years, Val Saint Lambert of Seraing, Belgium, has produced some of the most elegant and prestigious works of crystal and glass. Holding the distinction of being the world’s only Belgian glassworks, Val Saint Lambert creates exquisite items including ashtrays, serveware, vases and sculptures.
Founded by chemist François Kemlin and engineer Auguste Lelièvre, the company opened its first glassworks in 1826. Its quality manufacturing of heavy-lead crystal and the expert craftsmanship of its wares quickly led to the company’s popularity.
In 1894, Val Saint Lambert exhibited its geometric-cut crystal at the World’s Fair in Antwerp, Belgium. The central piece was “le Vase des Neuf Provinces,” or “The Vase of the Nine Provinces.” Under the direction of French glassmaker Léon Ledru, it took 30 artisans over 2,000 hours to fashion it from 85 individually crafted pieces. The exposure led to Val Saint Lambert becoming the primary crystal used by the Tsars of Russia and the company’s pieces being sold internationally.
That same year, the company crafted two immense crystal chandeliers for the Maharaja of Gwalior to hang in his palace in India. Weighing almost five tons each and measuring over 42 feet high, they were the largest crystal chandeliers in the world at the time.
The company closed its doors for the duration of World War I but soon reopened. By 1926, it had over 5,000 employees and had a growing demand for its pieces made in the Art Deco style.
During World War II, bombing from German and Allied forces destroyed the main glassworks facility. The company rebuilt, but by 1950, crystal was becoming more of a household item and less of a luxury good.
In the subsequent decades, Val Saint Lambert collaborated with notable names to expand its offerings with sophisticated furniture, including work with Philippe Starck and Frans Van Praet. In 1992, Van Praet designed the famed Sevilla chair for Val Saint Lambert, a piece highly prized by collectors and designers.
In 2014, Belgian manufacturer Jacques Somville took over Val Saint Lambert. In 2018, Belgian entrepreneur George Arthur Forrest acquired the majority of the company. Val Saint Lambert continues to make some of the finest glass and crystal wares in the world.
Find Val Saint Lambert lighting, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Cenedese Italian Glass Fish Aquarium Paperweight
By Cenedese
Located in New York, NY
Cenedese Italian glass fish aquarium round paperweight. Hand blown in the Cenedese workshop, Murano, Italy, c. 1970's
Blown Glass
Hand Blown Glass Ocean Sea Wave Paperweight Signed Karg
By Rollin Karg
Located in New York, NY
Hand blown glass paperweight with interior ocean wave with hues of turquoise, deep indigo, sky blue, cadet blue and crimson ribbon wave. Engraved signature Karg, at bottom edge rim.
Blown Glass
Clear and Magenta Glass Signed Studio Paperweight with Bubble Inclusions
Located in New York, NY
Studio hand blown luminous glass paperweight with magenta and clear glass freeform design. Engraved signature on bottom, Mc B.
Blown Glass
11" Tall Amorphic Glass Sculpture with Bubble Inclusions
Located in New York, NY
Large amorphic handblown bullicante glass sculpture with air bubble inclusions has unique shape from all angles. Beautiful light reflections throughout.
Blown Glass
Large 1960's German Sculptural Glass Ashtray
Located in New York, NY
1960's German textured glass cigar ashtray with mottled glass around top and surrounding perimeter. where bowl looks as if floating in space. The bottom of the piece has a square ge...
Art Glass
Venini 24 Karat Gold Inclused Sphere Glass Egg Paperweight
By Venini
Located in New York, NY
Italian handblown glass egg paperweight sculpture with 24-karat gold orb inclusion at center. Engraved signature on bottom, Venini, Italia.
Art Glass
French Art Deco Style Koi Dish in Pressed Frosted & Clear Glass Signed Lalique
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist Art Deco style relief glass decorative dish was realized during the 20th century by the legendary French maker Lalique- one of the finest purveyors of glass p...
Glass
MCM Art Glass Paperweight by Robert William Bartlett
By Robert William Bartlett
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful art glass paperweight by Robert William Bartlett, circa 1978. The piece is internally layered with white and blue swirl design. The paperweight is in very good vintage co...
Art Glass
Robin Lehman Leaping Fish Dichroic Art Glass Paperweight, 2017
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking art glass sculpture or paperweight features rounded form in clear glass, fully covered with reliefs of leaping fish; the underside of the paperweight is accented with a layer of dichroic glass, adding a striking multi-color shift to the piece, going from blue to teal green, and then to magenta pink. The flowing, dynamic relief depicts its wildlife subjects in concise, refined style, influenced by Art Deco and Swedish Grace, as well as Danish Modern styles. The sculpture is elevated on 3 small clear resin feet, adding a gap between the object and the surface it's displayed on and enhancing the visual effects of the dichroic color shift. The paperweight is signed and dated by the artist on the underside. Robert O. “Robin” Lehman, an internationally renowned Rochester-based glass artist and documentary filmmaker, studied painting and graphic arts during his college years. When he graduated, he studied musical composition with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and then worked with her for 10 years. While in Europe, Lehman combined his skills in sound and vision and began making documentary films. For his work, he has won more than 150 awards at most of the major film festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Chicago, Melbourne, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. His films have also won two Academy Awards and a third nomination as well as an Emmy. Robin was invited to the Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass, where he filmed Venetian classical glass master, William Gudenrath...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Murano Aquarium Art Glass Paperweight with Fish, Italy 1960s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Exceptional Murano art glass paperweight featuring an aquarium-style underwater scene with suspended tropical fish and richly colored abstract marine décor. Handblown in Italy during...
Art Glass
Val Saint Lambert paperweight With Label Nail Crystal
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Val Saint Lambert with Label paperweight Nail Crystal Weight Crystal 0.7 Kg Very colourful and a nice bright addition for any decorator. Looks simply stunning. Please don't hesitat...
Crystal
Large Vintage Langham Glass England Controlled Bubbles Paperweight
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking vintage paperweight features abstract grouping of large controlled bubbles in clear and colored cobalt blue and grass green glass. The central design is encased in clear gl...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
