Tsar Crystal Sets by Baccarat

Wow. Since we've been looking for a set of champagne flutes for an upcoming gift (thanks for all of the suggestions!), we spotted these intensely ornate green champagne goblets from Baccarat.

Presumably well beyond our price range, the style, colors, and intricate cut of this part of the "Tsar" collection caught our attention (they also come in blue and pink).

Not the simple, classic look we are going for, but these beauties would be quite the conversation starters. A bit about Baccarat Crystal:

Since it was established in 1764, Baccarat has continued expanding its influence, inspired in roots stemming from an ingenious handcrafted work of the highest quality, throughout the world.

The creations of Georges Chevalier, Van day Truex, Salvador Dalí, Roberto Sambonet, Andrée Putman, Christian Tortu, César, Marcial Berro, and Ettore Sottsass -- all of them great artists inspired by the magic of crystal – are all magnificent stones brought together into building the Art de Vivre collection.

Also a member of the Tsar family: this pink crystal glass (also in blue or green).

What do you think? Can you envision living with either of these?

Comments (7)

imagine all the bottles of champagne you could buy for the price of one of these beauties.....

posted by annalyssa on July 16th 2007 at 11:10am
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Love the champagne glass!! I'd have a set in a minute if I could afford it!

posted by Linda from ::Surroundings:: on July 16th 2007 at 1:11pm
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FWIW, I think you should get champagne saucers instead of flutes. They're more versatile -- you can use them for all sorts of desserts, for example. And I love the story (however apocryphal) that their shape was modeled on Marie Antoinette's breasts. I'm sure there are some amazing vintage ones available.

posted by mamacita on July 16th 2007 at 1:47pm
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Champagne saucers may have other uses, but their shape tends to destroy the fragile bubbles. Stick to flutes if you want to actually enjoy your champagne.

posted by Kathryn on July 16th 2007 at 4:03pm
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A friend for whom I designed the wedding dress, got a Baccarat set on leeway: one glass per month. She now has a wonderful array of crystal wine glasses for her formal dinners.

posted by Stratos on July 17th 2007 at 3:46am
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I enjoy my champagne much more out of champagne goblets (versus flutes) because they make me feel like Greta Garbo.
Besides, it's hard to drink from flutes without tipping your head waaaay back or else having the rim touch your nose. bleh.

posted by annalyssa on July 17th 2007 at 6:14am
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mamacita said: I'm sure there are some amazing vintage ones available.

There are - I've mentioned them elsewhere on this site but for fabulous modernist styling the Princess range of glasses designed by Bent Severin for Holmegaard (Denmark) circa 1957 can't be beaten. They're well worth trawling the auction houses and online sites for.

posted by Pip on July 17th 2007 at 1:34pm
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