Daum France: a century and a half of excellence in the art of glassmaking
Founded in 1878 by Jean Daum in Nancy, daum crystal works occupies a central place in the history of French decorative arts. At the end of the 19th century, Nancy became a major centre of the Art Nouveau movement, and Daum was one of its most influential players. Under the direction of Auguste and Antonin Daum, the company developed an artistic language that combined technical innovation, decorative elegance and absolute mastery of materials.
The golden age of Art Nouveau
The Daum aesthetic took shape at the heart of the École de Nancy, a movement that brought together artists, architects and craftsmen around the idea of total art inspired by nature. Daum's creations are distinguished by :
from organic lines,
shapes inspired by plants,
decorations in relief,
a palette of warm or iridescent colours,
finely crafted floral and naturalistic motifs.
This period saw the creation of vases, bowls and lamps that today rank among the most emblematic works of French Art Nouveau.
Unrivalled mastery of glass paste
From the beginning of the 20th century, Daum perfected a technique that would become his modern signature: glass paste. This process, which involves sculpting and then pouring a tinted translucent paste into a mould, produces pieces with deep colours, velvety texture and subtle transparency.
Glass paste gave Daum exceptional creative freedom, enabling it to create sculptures and decorative objects with a singular presence.
The Art Deco era and the affirmation of a modern style
In the 1920s and 1930s, the house evolved with the times. The lines became simpler, the decorations more geometric and the colours more bold. Daum nevertheless retained its luminous identity and its taste for materials. This period confirmed the importance of the company as one of the great names in French artistic glass.
Over the course of the 20th century and right up to the present day, Daum has collaborated with many artists. The company worked with major artists such as Dali, César, Arman, Ben, Kongo and many contemporary artists.
Produced in limited editions, these pâte de verre artworks are highly prized for their originality, expressive power and the quality of their handiwork.
A know how handed down from generation to generation
Each Daum piece requires a long, meticulous and demanding process, carried out entirely by hand in the Nancy workshops. Modelling, colouring, firing and finishing are carried out with a precision that guarantees the uniqueness of each piece.
Daum perpetuates a rare tradition of craftsmanship, based on attention to detail, mastery of colour and excellence of gesture.
A symbol of French luxury
Today, Daum remains one of the most respected manufacturers in the world of art glass. Its sculptures, vases and limited editions embody a poetic luxury based on light, transparency and colour.
To own a Daum piece is to welcome a work of art in which the hand of the craftsman, the vision of the artist and the magic of the material merge into a unique object.
