A German gilt-bronze, crystal and blue glass eight-light chandelier, probably Dresden, late 18th/early 19th century

Related literature :

F. C. Möller, The Chursächsische Spiegelfabrik at Friedrichsthal in the Electorate of Saxony: Rediscovery of a Forgotten Glass Factory and its Products, Ademas de, Madrid, n°8, 2022, pp. 43-75

Germany chose very early in the 18th century to establish its own glass factory north of Dresden: the Chursächsische Spiegelfabrik, or Mirror Factory of the Electorate of Saxony, was founded in Friedrichsthal between 1708 and 1709.

The origin of the Spiegelfabrik lies in Augustus the Strong’s desire to establish his own production facilities for decorative arts and luxury goods. A crucial role was played by the scholar Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus (1651–1708), who advised the Elector from 1696 on the introduction of an economic policy following the model developed by Colbert in France, by creating centers for glass and porcelain production. Tschirnhaus also experimented with glass casting techniques and established workshops for cutting and polishing precious stones and so-called plate glass. The decision was made to found this factory specifically for the production of cast plate glass for mirrors and window panes, following techniques developed in France.

It was only from 1787 that the factory began producing clear and colored glass objects for grand decoration, often enhanced with gilded bronze. Its international success culminated with the introduction of semi-opaque white bone glass in 1794, until production ceased in 1815. It reached its heyday at the dawn of the 19th century, achieving success not only in Saxony and the neighbouring regions of Thuringia and Prussia, but also in Denmark, Russia, Sweden, France, and even Spain.