A unique sculpture of Charlotte by Jean-Philippe Richard

For Daum, Jean-Philippe Richard created several sculptures from crystal paste, works of extreme beauty. Eternal femininity is once again revered through these slender figures emerging from the material, proud and striking.

The Daum brand represents 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 magical encounter between artistic creativity and modern knowledge, continually renewing the union of art and true craftsmanship.

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

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

Creation methods

The crystal paste technique is rare and very ancient. It 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 molds are characterized by graininess, materiality, and soft contours that cannot be achieved with blown glass.

Daum’s specialty, copied but never matched — crystal paste, a precious material that gives the object a sculptural dimension, continues to evolve. Crystal paste has the unique property of imparting transparency to the shapes it reproduces. The brilliance of this material, the intensity of colors, and subdued shades give it a distinctive character.

Crystal paste contains nearly 30% lead. It is made from specially prepared crystal in kilns. Several factors influence the final color: weighing of materials, mixture proportions, chemical reactions of certain minerals and metals, temperature rise, and cooling of the furnaces.

Thanks to the Daum-developed lost-wax casting method and crystal mold casting, reproducing the original is perfect and aligns with the artist’s vision. Currently, Daum is the only crystal manufacturer in the world capable of creating this exceptional material with such precision. Crystal paste is a substance that has evolved for over a century, adapting to the whims of master glassmakers’ imagination. It is through mastery and continuous research that world-renowned masterpieces are born.