Blue glass Val-Saint-Lambert Vide-Poche, Belgium ca. 1900

Belgium / 1900 / Poche de Vie / Val-Saint-Lambert / glass / Baroque / Rococo A refined example of Belgian glass artistry, this vibrant blue signed Val-Saint-Lambert Vide-Poche. It beautifully reflects the opulence and sculptural flourish associated with the Baroque and Rococo revival styles. Crafted in richly worked glass, it showcases the manufacturer’s celebrated ability to combine technical mastery with decorative elegance. The form is characterized by fluid curves, ornate contours, and a luxurious sense of movement—hallmarks of the Baroque tradition, while the Rococo influence appears in the lightness and playful detailing of the design. The glass surface catches the light with subtle brilliance, enhancing the piece’s sculptural depth and refined presence. Val-Saint-Lambert is a crystal and glass factory in the Belgian city of Seraing, southwest of Liège, that produces decorative glass, drinking glasses, and crystal art and utility objects. Today, Val-Saint-Lambert is present in more than forty countries, from the United States to Saudi Arabia, from Spain to Japan. It has become something of a calling card for the Walloon region. A Val-Saint-Lambert vase—famous for its brilliant “double-colored cut” crystal—was a coveted collectors’ item or prestigious corporate gift, including for princes and diplomatic representatives. For example, the company also supplied the glass chairs (chosen partly for the “coolness” of the material) for the World Expo in Seville. The assortment has since expanded and modernized, but the production methods for unique pieces remain artisanal. Visitors can tour the factory and watch the glassblowers at work.