Val Saint Lambert is a Belgian crystal glassware manufacturer, founded in 1826 and based in the city of Seraing. The company was founded by François Kemlin, a chemist, and Auguste Lelièvre, a glassmaker. They purchased the site of the former Val-Saint-Lambert Abbey in Seraing near Liège on the river Meuse. There they founded a new glassworks (still in operation to this day, originally focused on heavy lead crystal), which initially employed some of the key workers from the former Vonêche glassworks. The two founders initially built two houses for themselves, and block accommodation for the acquired former Vonêche workers.
Val Saint Lambert became one of the leading crystal manufacturers in the world. The company's products were known for their high quality and beauty. Val Saint Lambert was also a pioneer in the development of new techniques for making crystal, such as the use of acid etching and
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engraving.
Embracing the artistic movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Val Saint Lambert made significant contributions to Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Collaborations with renowned artists and designers, such as Philippe Wolfers and Joseph Simon, allowed the company to create glassware characterized by innovative designs, organic forms, and intricate decorative motifs.
The turbulent years of the two World Wars and the subsequent economic downturn posed significant challenges for Val Saint Lambert. To weather these hardships, the company adapted to changing market demands by shifting its focus from luxury glassware to industrial glass production. Val Saint Lambert diversified its offerings to include automotive and pharmaceutical glass, ensuring its survival
Val Saint Lambert also faced financial difficulties. In 1981, the company was sold to a group of investors but in the 1990s, Val Saint Lambert began to make a comeback. The company introduced new products, such as stemware and tableware, and it began to market its products more aggressively. Val Saint Lambert also began to collaborate with designers from around the world and became the leading manufacturer of crystal in the world. It had the royal warrant of King Albert II of Belgium, who ruled from 1993 to 2013. The company's products are sold in over 100 countries.
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