Daum Crystal

Daum is a crystal factory based in Nancy, France and founded by Jean Daum (1825-1885) in 1875. His sons, Auguste (1853-1909) and Antonin (1864-1931) oversaw the burgeoning Art Nouveau period. Daum are currently the only commercial crystal manufactuter employing the pate de verre process for art glass and crystal sculptures. But the famous factory was almost not to be.

Daum started its life as a glassworks called Verrerie Saint Catherine producing glass for watches and mirrors. The factory quickly fell into financial difficulties and Daum decided to jump ship, but because the other partners couldn’t afford to buy him out- he decided to buy them out instead. He changed the name to Verrerie the Nancy, but the company still struggled until Auguste, finally finished with his study of law, joined the company. It is the arrival of Auguste’s younger brother Antonin that finally changed the factory’s fortunes.

Until 1894, Daum was the only glassworks in Nancy. That year, though, Emile Galle started to produce fine art glass and it was his genius that influenced the young and talented Antonin. By 1890, Daum was producing art glass exclusively and doing very well with it. Antonin won the Grand Prix at the World Fair in 1900.

By 1900, Daum had more than 300 employees.

For more info on Daum visit http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Biographies/MainBiographies/D/Daum/Daum.htm

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