Baccarat's 250th Anniversary Chandelier: A Symphony of Light and Luxury

Yasumichi Morita's Masterpiece Celebrates Baccarat's Legacy in Crystal Artistry

For centuries, Baccarat has been at the forefront of crystal craftsmanship, collaborating with leading creators of each generation to produce innovative artworks. The brand unveiled its first chandelier in 1827, and to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2014, it embarked on a project to create a new, groundbreaking chandelier. The design was entrusted to GLAMOROUS co.,ltd., led by Yasumichi Morita, whose concept of "Session of Sparkle" brought a new dimension to Baccarat chandeliers, combining crystals and mirrors in a unique way.

The chandelier, the largest in Baccarat's history, is a dynamic piece that seems to float in the Yebisu Garden Place. Its design concept, "Session of Sparkle," aims to fill the venue with a symphony of light, creating a captivating interplay between the chandelier, the guests, and the surroundings. The refraction of light through crystals and mirrors gives the chandelier various expressions, as if it has an eternal breath, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of day and night transitions.

The chandelier is composed of two types of chandeliers: Zenith and Solstice. The Zenith is based on the orthodox design used when chandeliers were lit by candles, while the Solstice has a novel form like a drop, breaking away from the traditional triangle. Assembled in four layers, the chandelier boasts 26,471 crystal pieces, stands 8.4 meters high, spans 4.6 meters wide, and weighs 1.8 tons. It is lit by 410 LED lights, a departure from traditional incandescent bulbs, showcasing the innovative approach to this design.

The design team faced the challenge of creating the brand's largest chandelier and a special frame that could support its weight. They conducted extensive research into Baccarat's 250-year history and visited the brand's factory in France multiple times to better understand the process of crystal production. The result is a chandelier that not only celebrates Baccarat's legacy but also pushes the boundaries of lighting design.

This design masterpiece was awarded the Platinum A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2015, recognizing its world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative design. The chandelier is a defining aesthetic of its era, advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, and contributing to societal wellbeing. It is a testament to Baccarat's commitment to innovation and a celebration of its 250-year journey in the world of crystal artistry.