The Power of Subtlety – Timeless Crystal Glassware by Lobmeyr
Since 1823, the distinctive glassware of J. & L. Lobmeyr has left its mark on the world of art and design. Now in its sixth generation, the family-run company from Vienna creates wafer-thin, lead-free crystal of remarkable strength. Working with leading designers and creative minds, Lobmeyr continues to refine its craft and explore new stylistic directions. Discover the irresistible brilliance of the delicate crystal icons made by this historic Austrian manufacturer in the curated selection of Artedona.
J. & L. Lobmeyr – A Family Shaping Design History
Josef Lobmeyr opened a small glassware shop in the heart of Vienna in 1823. With a keen eye for form and effect, the master glassmaker created magnificent crystal chandeliers and elegant drinking glasses that deliberately stood apart from the thick-walled, richly ornamented Bohemian glass of the period. Instead of opulent heaviness, Lobmeyr championed lightness, clarity, and a new kind of elegance. He quickly found favour with a discerning clientele. Under the leadership of the next generation, the company first became the Habsburg court’s official supplier of glassware and later served aristocratic and royal households across the world.
This combination of exceptional craftsmanship and a keen awareness of emerging trends made Lobmeyr a defining name in design history.
- In 1883, Lobmeyr unveiled the first electric crystal chandelier fitted with Edison bulbs, cleverly concealing the externally routed wiring along the chandelier arms.
- Around 1900, the house forged close ties with artists of the Wiener Werkstätte, including Josef Hoffmann. Lobmeyr became a key figure in the cultural movement known as Viennese Modernism, which set itself apart from the dominant Art Nouveau style through its focus on simplicity and outstanding craftsmanship.
- In 1925, Lobmeyr received the Grand Prix at the Paris World’s Fair for its radically innovative glass collections by designers such as Oswald Haerdtl, helping to drive the transition from Art Nouveau to Art Deco.
- In the 1960s, Hans Harald Rath designed the "Starburst" chandeliers for the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Also known affectionately as "Sputnik", they have since become icons of Mid-century Modern design and remain a striking feature of the opera house foyer.
As Fine as Fabric – Muslin Glass by Lobmeyr
Lobmeyr’s wafer-thin crystal is poetically known as muslin glass. The name is derived from muslin, a fine, semi-transparent fabric that was prized almost as highly as silk in the 19th century. Lobmeyr's glass conveys the same sense of lightness and delicacy. Each piece is made entirely by hand in a process that demands exceptional precision, concentration, and skill, mastered only by the most experienced glassblowers.
The quality of muslin glass is immediately apparent. The pieces feel refined, light, and elegant. They sit comfortably in the hand and are effortless to hold, whether at a standing aperitif or while pouring from a full decanter. With walls measuring just around one millimetre in thickness, they have a slight flexibility that gives them surprising resilience.
Icons in Series – Lobmeyr's Drinking Glass Collections
At Lobmeyr, the names of many collections are as understated as the designs themselves. Rather than evocative titles, many of the glass ranges are simply identified by sequential numbers. This says a great deal about the house’s philosophy: the emphasis is not on theatricality, but on form, function, and clarity of design. Behind these understated names are creations that have shaped design history and continue to captivate today.
The Rothschild Stars glass series no. 4is a milestone in modern glass design. Created by Ludwig Lobmeyr in 1856, it consciously breaks with the opulence of its age in favour of clear, understated forms. The wine glass is now regarded as the forerunner of the modern wine glass. The star decoration, added later, combines this pioneering design with delicate hand engraving.
The Alpha glass series no. 267 embodies the functional elegance of post-war modernism. Designed by Hans Harald Rath in 1952 for the "young household", its softly rounded, stackable forms are both iconic and practical. Despite their delicate appearance, the mouth-blown muslin glass pieces are remarkably robust. In the coloured version, subtle tones play gently around the silhouettes of the water tumblers and jugs.
The Hoffmann – Series B glass series is a key design of early modernism. Created in 1912 in collaboration with the architect Josef Hoffmann, it introduced a new architectural design language to the art of glassmaking. Its defining feature is the black vertical and horizontal striping on frosted crystal, whose rhythm, structure, and graphic precision immediately draw the eye.
The Sphere bonbon dishes in clear were designed by Oswald Haerdtl in 1925 and are among the most poetic objects produced by the house. Made from wafer-thin, mouth-blown muslin glass, these perfectly rounded dishes seem almost to float above their delicate stems. Their pure geometry and teardrop-shaped handle give them the flowing grace that defines Art Deco.
