le roi soleil by marcel wanders for baccarat is adjourned with crystal shades and cut motifs

le roi soleil by marcel wanders for baccarat is adjourned with crystal shades and cut motifs
image © laurent parrault

marcel wanders‘ ‘le roi soleil’ chandelier for baccarat pays tribute to the illustrious monarch louis XIV. the lighting object draws upon baccarat’s iconic ‘zénith’ chandelier which sees wanders re-designing its contours and softening the angles. ‘le roi soleil’ acts a symbol of modernity through its embracing curves and crystal shades which are adjourned with cut motifs. wanders has stretched and distorted the twisted branches, tassels and octagons to create a perfect heavenly body. the chandelier, which comes in four different versions, contains a small subtle red jewel that makes reference to the original ‘zénith’ design.
‘le roi soleil’ pays tribute to the illustrious monarch louis XIV
image © laurent parrault

marcel wanders states that ‘in an ode to the know-how of the manufactory’s artisans, I set out to celebrate the timeless quality of the zénith chandelier, a baccarat icon. ‘le roi soleil’ glitters and radiates throughout a kingdom of light.’

reflected abstract perspectives of the chandelier
image © andrea martiradonna

the dazzling piece is accompanied by a small table that draws upon the ‘new antique’ vase the dutch designer created in 2014. the vessel has been turned upside down and crowned with a white marble top, re-inventing the original model into a complimentary furniture piece. it contains a subtly concealed rechargeable LED system which creates a captivating aura.

each chandelier contains a small subtle red jewel that makes reference to the original ‘zenith’ design
image ©designboom

marcel wanders’ ‘le roi soleil’ chandelier is one of three new lighting pieces, influenced by the unique savoir-faire and mastery of baccarat. presented during milan design week 2016 as part of the legendary maison’s exhibition ‘lumières out of the box’ – within the historic setting of the brera academy of fine arts’ sala napoleonica – wanders’ lighting piece, alongside designs by arik levy and hans van bentem, was suspended within an oversized shipping crate with reflective walls; the scenography beautifully symbolising baccarat’s ability to interpret its 250 years of heritage and history with modernity and glamour.

‘le roi soleil’ is accompanied by the ‘new antique’ table
image © designboom

installation view of marcel wanders’ chandelier and table set within the brera academy of fine arts’ sala napoleonica
image © andrea martiradonna

the ‘le roi soleil’ chandelier
clear crystal 24-light
height 115 cm, diameter 100 cm

the ‘le roi soleil’ chandelier
clear crystal 24-light
height 115 cm, diameter 100 cm

the ‘le roi soleil’ chandelier
clear crystal 40-light
height 145 cm, diameter 130 cm

the ‘le roi soleil’ chandelier
clear crystal 40-light
height 145 cm, diameter 130 cm