Muller Freres of Luneville

Muller Freres of Luneville - The heart of the company was formed by five brothers (Henri, Desire, Eugene, Pierre, Victor) from a glass making family who trained and worked at the Galle factory. Henri set up a decorating studio at Luneville in 1895 and was shortly joined by his brothers. Their production was predominantly cameo glass with blanks supplied by Gobeleterie Hinzelin, Croissmare. Following similar lines to that of Galle and the Art Nouveau movement their production used nature as a decorative theme. In the years leading up to the First World War their production was technically excellent and highly creative. Of note was fluogravure where enamels were applied to the cased body of the glass which was then heated. By the use of selective acid etching a wide range of effects could be achieved from vivid hues to subtle twilight shades. They designed cameo vases, using this production method, for Val St Lambert. They also worked with Chapelle, integrating metal and glass to create strangely kitsch flights of birds and snails amongst others. Production ceased at the start of the First World War during which Eugene was killed. The remaining brothers acquired Hinzelin and began large scale commercial production. The bulk of the output consisted of lighting fixtures. They continued to produce cameo with increasingly exotic themes. However fashion was changing and the production began to switch to Art Deco designs including Daum like pieces with stylised floral themes, foil inclusions and simple geometric forms. As with Galle's facillity it was too little too late and the effects of the Depression lead to production ceasing in 1933.