Schneider: French Art Deco Glass
Schneider refers to the art glass produced by the Cristallerie Schneider in Epinay-sur-Seine, near Paris, founded by brothers Charles and Ernest Schneider in 1913. Operating through 1981, the firm created bold, colorful Art Deco glass that stands alongside Daum, Galle, and Lalique in the French glass pantheon. The factory's output included the "Le Verre Francais" and "Charder" lines alongside pieces signed "Schneider."
History
- 1913: Charles and Ernest Schneider founded Cristallerie Schneider; both had trained at Daum
- 1914-1918: Production halted during WWI
- 1918-1933: Peak production period; Art Deco style at its height
- 1920s: Introduced the "Le Verre Francais" cameo glass line and "Charder" (Charles Schneider) signature pieces
- 1933: Financial difficulties during the Depression
- 1949: Reopened as Schneider Cristallerie; produced modern designs
- 1981: Factory closed permanently
Identification and Marks
- "Schneider": Engraved or enameled signature on art glass pieces; the most prestigious mark
- "Le Verre Francais": Engraved or applied on cameo glass; sometimes with a candy cane-style cane inclusion at the base
- "Charder": Abbreviation of "Charles Schneider" on cameo pieces
- "France": Often added for export pieces
- Candy cane cane: A distinctive filigrana cane (twisted colored rod) embedded in the foot of many Le Verre Francais pieces — a key authentication indicator
- "Ovington New York": Retailer label found on some American-market pieces
Types and Price Ranges
| Type | Description | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Le Verre Francais cameo vase | Acid-etched, standard size | $800 - $3,000 |
| Le Verre Francais large vase | 15+ inches, bold design | $2,000 - $8,000 |
| Schneider art glass vase | Internally decorated, mottled colors | $300 - $1,500 |
| Schneider compote/tazza | Applied foot, colored glass | $200 - $800 |
| Charder cameo vase | Acid-etched, signed | $1,000 - $4,000 |
| Le Verre Francais lamp | Complete with wrought iron base | $2,000 - $8,000+ |
| Schneider pitcher/ewer | Applied handle, art glass | $300 - $1,200 |
| Le Verre Francais charger | Cameo-etched plate form | $500 - $2,000 |
| Post-war Schneider | Modern designs, 1950s-1970s | $100 - $500 |
Condition Factors
- Chips: Even small chips significantly reduce value on cameo glass; inspect rims and bases carefully
- Cameo quality: Sharp, well-defined acid etching with good color contrast commands premiums
- Color: Bold, saturated colors (orange, purple, blue) are more desirable than muted tones
- Size: Larger pieces (especially vases over 15 inches) are disproportionately valuable
- Signature clarity: Clear, legible signatures increase buyer confidence
- Internal decoration: Schneider-signed pieces with complex internal color work are the most artistically ambitious
Collecting Tips
- Le Verre Francais cameo glass is the most recognizable and collected Schneider line; the bold geometric and stylized floral designs epitomize Art Deco
- Look for the candy cane filigrana cane in the foot — its presence is a strong indicator of authenticity
- Schneider-signed pieces (as opposed to Le Verre Francais) often show more experimental, artistic approaches and appeal to collectors of studio glass
- The Art Deco glass market has been strong, with major Schneider pieces regularly appearing at Christie's, Sotheby's, and specialist glass auctions
- Fakes and reproductions exist, particularly of popular Le Verre Francais forms — examine signatures, cane inclusions, and glass quality carefully
- Lamps with original wrought iron bases (often by Edgar Brandt or similar) are particularly desirable
- Post-war Schneider production is more affordable and represents the factory's modernist evolution