Thistle by Saint-Louis
Crystal Icons from Saint-Louis – The Thistle Collection
Over 100 years old and as good-looking as ever. The "Thistle" crystal glass collection by Saint-Louis has been adorning the finest tables in the world since 1913. Created at the height of the Art Nouveau movement, the hand-blown and hand-cut crystal glasses shine in the timeless splendour of European artistic tradition. Immerse yourself in the highest form of table culture with one of the finest glassware collections from the renowned Saint-Louis crystal glass manufactory.
Heraldic Flowers in Art Nouveau Style – The Design of Thistle
A flower with deep roots. In 1909, the great representatives of French Art Nouveau organised an international exhibition in the city of Nancy. Inspired by the city's emblematic flower, Saint-Louis designed the "Chardon" collection, which translates as "thistle". Nancy, the thistle, and the year of 1909 all became symbols of Art Nouveau at its very peak – a unique moment in history, immortalised by Saint-Louis in pure crystal.
However, it was not until 1913 that the collection reached the form it has today. The designer Louis Reyen perfected its lines and decorations. He translated its name from "Chardon" to "Thistle" to honour the Franco-British friendship. Since then, Thistle glasses have adorned the tables of royalty and heads of state all over the world.
The thistle motif is beautifully executed in every regard. The bowls of the glasses are modelled after the blossoms of the spiky flower. From the basket-shaped base adorned with oval cuts sprouts a conical goblet. The goblet's fine Venetian-style striped cuts are reminiscent of the flower's delicate purple petals. The detailed frieze on the rims, finished in gold or platinum, also depicts the winding tendrils and flowers of the thistle.
Even the stems are covered with tiny cuts to resemble the stem of a thistle. They end in an elegant foot, which is again decorated with a gold or platinum-plated foliage frieze. Every element and every detail of the "Thistle" pattern is lovingly crafted – a masterpiece of opulent beauty.
In the Splendour of Gold and Platinum – The Thistle Collection at a Glance
At its heart, "Thistle" is a collection of fine drinking glasses for the sophisticated table. They are available with 24-carat gold as Thistle Gold glasses or with pure platinum as Thistle Platinum glasses. The precious metal decorations are applied to the filigree engravings with small brushes, then fired and polished with agate stone. More than two dozen experienced artisans work on a single glass for up to 25 days before it is ready to leave the workshops.
The collection includes wine glasses in three different sizes, Champagne flutes and bowls, whiskey tumblers, water tumblers, southern wine tumblers, highball glasses, cocktail glasses, and tasting glasses. Ornamental pitchers, wine carafes, and Thistle Gold ice buckets round off the brilliant ensemble. Use "Thistle" to create table arrangements in traditional style that your guests will never forget.
