A unique falcon sculpture by Madeleine van der Knoop

Daum is the highest quality craftsmanship combined with a passion for creating exclusive pieces.

Discover the history

Daum, the legendary master glassmaker, who for over a century has maintained close relationships with the greatest artists of his time, giving their works a second life in crystal and color. From École de Nancy, Art Nouveau, to decorative arts, from Majorelle to Dalí, Arman, and Hilton McConnico, Daum has never missed a single magical encounter between artistic creativity and modern knowledge, continuously renewing the union of art and exceptional craftsmanship.

Few brands have collaborated with so many artists: over nearly 140 years, more than 350 unique autographs have created an unparalleled legacy, a one-of-a-kind collection of this kind.

How can we translate these works into crystal sculptures? Here is Daum’s secret, a creator of extraordinary objects, a highly educated workshop, a laboratory of wonders, a designer of incomparable items.

Creation methods

The pâte de cristal technique is rare and very ancient. This technique appeared as early as 5000 BC (found in the tombs of pharaohs). Long forgotten, it was rediscovered by Daum in 1900 and further developed in 1968. The process is extremely delicate. Items produced by combining pieces of crystal mixed in a mold feature graininess, material richness, and soft contours that cannot be achieved with blown glass.

Daum’s specialty, replicated but never matched—the pâte de cristal—is a precious material that gives the object a sculptural dimension, constantly evolving. This crystal paste has the unique property of imparting transparency to the shapes it recreates. The shine of this material, the intensity of colors, and subdued shades give it an unmistakable character.

The pâte de cristal contains nearly 30% lead. The material is produced from specially prepared crystal in cauldrons. Several factors influence the final color effect: weighing of materials, mixture proportions, chemical reactions of certain minerals and metals, temperature increases, and cooling of the furnaces.

Thanks to the Daum-developed lost-wax casting method and crystal casting techniques, reproducing the original is perfect and aligns with the artist’s wishes. Currently, Daum is the only crystal producer in the world capable of creating this exceptional material with such precision. The pâte de cristal is a substance that has evolved for over a century, adapting to the whims of glassmaking masters’ imagination. It is through mastery and continuous research that world-renowned masterpieces are born.