Legras (France) glass

The Legras glassmaking company was founded in 1864 by Auguste Legras, who took over the Saint-Denis glassworks. The company quickly became known for its high-quality decorative glass, and in 1889 it won the Grand Prix at the Paris Universal Exhibition. In the early years, Legras focused on two distinct markets. For the middle classes, it offered good quality decorative glass at accessible prices. For the upper classes, it produced luxury items such as cameo glass and enamelled glass. Cameo glass is created by carving through a layer of colorred glass to reveal a layer of contrasting color underneath. Legras was one of the leading producers of cameo glass in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Enamelled glass is a type of glass that is decorated with enamel paint. Legras produced a wide variety of enameled glassware, including vases, bowls, and figurines.

In 1883, François-Théodore Legras, more... Auguste's nephew, joined the company. François-Théodore was a talented designer, and he helped to steer the company in a more artistic direction. Under his leadership, Legras became one of the leading producers of Art Nouveau glass and its pieces are characterized by their flowing lines and organic forms. Art Deco was a decorative art movement that flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. Legras produced a wide variety of Art Deco glassware, including vases, bowls, and figurines.

The company continued to flourish in the early 20th century, but it was forced to close during World War I. After the war, it reopened and continued to produce high-quality glassware until the 1928 when the business was sold less...