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Reflecting fine taste

Aziz Haider

In tableware, metal has traditionally ruled Indian tastes for ages. But of late there has been a perceptible shift. A wide range of opalware, bone china and oven-proof opalware, both Indian and foreign, has flocked the market.

Crystalware is fast becoming a symbol of refined taste. Increasingly, today's well-heeled executives expect crystalware when they reach for a glass on the table. Though the clientele is niche, as only the depths of the pockets can allow in dulgence, the glittering crystalware is gaining in popularity.

Most Indian buyers invariably go in for foreign brands of crystal. Until now their favourite haunts were the crowded Ghaffar Market in New Delhi's Karol Bagh area, or the underground Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place. In Mumbai, it was the Fort area. Though crystalware costs thousands of rupees, no one really minds the splurge as long as the beautiful pieces adorn their house and not the neighbour's.

But the ambience at these crowded markets was not exactly what the refined shopper was looking out for. But times are changing. More upmarket retail outlets are coming up as an answer. One of the latest entrants is Ambiente, at the Ansal Plaza, Del hi. True to its name, the ambience of the place is such that the crystalware shopper is drawn to it ever so often.

Top of the range products, such as the world famous Royal Doulton and Bohemian Crystal have been made available to the discerning Indian public by RL Group of Companies. This is the first venture of its kind and Chetan Gupta, the group chairman, plans to come up with similar stores in major cities across India.

Bowls, ashtrays, tumblers, old-fashioned whisky glasses, stemware (wine glasses), mugs and decanters, vases as well as tea-sets and dinner sets -- all of which come in one or more designs -- can be acquired at Ambiente. Seeing the growing demand, Chetan is even considering importing chandeliers in the future.

``Our clientele at the moment are mainly housewives and executives.'' says Chetan. Word-of-mouth publicity, write-ups and direct mailers were the main sources of publicity. Other visitors to the shop were those who had dropped in at other ou tlets at Ansal Plaza. The company also plans to market crystalware to corporate houses as well.

Household purchases account for the largest chunk of the crystal market. This is followed by corporates and then the hotels. Companies are increasingly becoming bulk buyers of crystalware.

Use of crystal is guided strictly by the design that are crafted to suit specific occasions. And the variety is mind-boggling.

What is Bohemian crystal then, some may ask? In the territory of the former Kingdom of Bohemia, in the beginning of the 17th century, glassmakers were manufacturing a glass mass that closely resembled natural crystal, later named `Bohemian Crystal ', which became prized for its weight, clarity and hardness.

When shaped into small glass pieces, hand-cut and then polished, Bohemian crystal became jewel-like, refracting light in a way that only a diamond can. The exceptional skill of the Bohemian glassmakers inherited for ages from father to son is ev ident in every piece. Apart from the wide range of top quality products, limited series or tailor-made pieces to suit the wishes of individual customers are also made.

Crystal imported at Ambiente is basically from the Czech republic, which was part of the erstwhile Bohemian kingdom and hence is Bohemian crystal. For that matter, Swarowski too is Bohemian as it is from Austria, also part of the Bohemian kingdom.

Elaborating on the difference between his products and other famous brands such as Swarowski, Chetan says, ``Swarowski is predominantly only cut-glass crystal piece in various forms, whereas our products are utility items such as crystal glasses, vases, decanters, etc. Swarowski is more into decorative items. We keep cut glass crystal which is hand-blown and hand-cut, and contains 24 per cent lead. There are few Indian brands too in the market but they either have just 20 per cent l ead and 80 per cent soda lime or are entirely lead-free.''

It is worthwhile to mention here that there are two schools of thought regarding the lead content. While some say that having no lead is better for health, others like Chetan argue that if the glass has lead content it does not mean that it can be transferred to the body. Lead is an inherent part of the material that makes the glass and as it is not coated lead it cannot enter the food stream.

Chetan feels that the higher the quantity of lead used in the product, the better the end product tends to be. ``In fact,'' he says, ``the real test of crystal is that when you raise your glass to a toast, there should be a distinct metallic so und.''

The other factor influencing the price of crystalware is the method adopted to cut the glass. While the hand-cut variety commands a premium price, the pressed pieces made out of dye are priced a shade lower. ``We however try to keep it as co mpetitive as possible as far as prices go. People appreciate our products for their quality and price,'' says Chetan.

Classic tableware from Royal Doulton is another attraction at Ambiente. Considered the best bone china crockery in the world, with perhaps only Wedgewood as the competitor, Royal Doulton is has been a prized possession for over 200 years. I ts range include cups, saucers, service bowls, tea sets, and complete dinner sets. The rich and elaborate designs on these items are exquisitely created by the company's designers to grace dinner tables of the finest of homes and hotels acro ss the world. They have a timeless quality and create a lasting impression, whatever the occasion.

Lately, Royal Doulton has also developed the Fusion range to reflect the free style, free spirit mode of today's living. Royal Doulton has a unit in Indonesia that manufactures fine china, unlike the bone china manufactured at the British compan y.

These products coming out of the Indonesian unit will soon be available at Ambiente and the moot point is that they would be more affordable. For example, a tea-set would cost Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000, as against a bone china one for which would l eave you poorer by around Rs 15,000 or more.

Chetan admits that Royal Doulton is expensive but feels that people pay for the quality and the brand name. Doulton even uses pure gold in some of the designs, most of which are hand-painted by artists committed to the company. This is what probab ly gives each of the Doulton products the stamp of exclusivity. ``I have people mentioning to us that their grandfather bought a Royal Doulton set, which still shines even after 40 years,'' says Chetan. ``But they are afraid to use it fear ing that it might break. The good news is that Doulton is a company that sells its products by pieces and not by set, and that takes care of replacements. It is possible to buy one Royal Doulton plate and some of the company's designs even w hich are more than 100 years old are repeated once in a while.''