Elegant and durable, the ubiquitous Duralex Picardie glass can be found in cafes and homes all around the world
Who designed the Picardie glass?
No one knows but Duralex was founded in 1945 in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin on the banks of the Loire River just outside of Orleans. And it’s the Picardie glass, designed in 1954, that is most, ’ow you say, iconic.
What’s so great about them?
Made from tempered glass, they’re virtually indestructible. They’re chip resistant and can handle sudden temperature changes from -20°C to 100°C, which means they can be frozen, microwaved and handle dishwashing with ease. If you do manage to break one, they shatter into small pieces rather than large shards so there’s less chance of getting glass in your foot.
Very health and safety. But what about the design?
Design guru Patrick Taylor waxed lyrical about how “the upper part of the side is smooth surfaced and curves gently outwards at the part that goes into your mouth, as if to encourage the liquid on its way. The rounded edge of the lip of the glass is especially comfortable against your lips because, for durability, the glass is comparatively thick”. You get the idea. And when you’re sipping a cafe or red wine from one you can’t help but feel you’re wearing a Breton shirt sitting streetside on the Left Bank.
For a guide on vintage-inspired glasses to brighten your dining, click here.
So why did its popularity wane?
Competition from Asian imitations and the fact the manufacturer almost went bankrupt a couple of times in the early noughties didn’t help. It has since been sold to International Cookware, a French-based company and owner of Pyrex, who acquired the brand in 2021. This has certainly helped restore its fortunes and prominence.
What does Duralex even mean anyway?
It comes from the Latin motto Dura Lex Sed Lex, meaning the law is tough, but it is the law.
What if, quelle horreur, I don’t love them?
Never fear. Duralex also does Le Gigogne (the original Duralex Picardie glass), Provence and Manhattan glasses so you’re bound to find something that takes your fancy.
Where do I find them here?
Outside of Ponsonby Rd? So many cafes around the country and, of course, homewares stores from Stevens to Father Rabbit, Briscoes, Citta… the list goes on. The best thing, though, they’re so reasonably priced, with a set of six coming in at just over $20 at most places.
Comfortable to hold and easy to stack, it’s not hard to see why the budget-friendly tempered Duralex Picardie glass became a cafe favourite.
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