Hennessy have teamed up with architect Frank Gehry and French fine crystal manufacturers Baccarat to create 30 unique and luxurious Mathusalem decanters. After collaborating with Gehry in 2020 to produce 150 limited editions decanters for their 150th anniversary, Hennessy commissioned him to make another sculptural masterpiece.
Frank Gehry is a world-renown Canadian architect who was born in 1929. Some of his works include the Guggenheim Museum in Spain, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris and the Art Gallery of Ontario. French fine crystal manufacturer Baccarat was founded in 1764 with the approval of King Louis XV of France. Since then, many royals have commissioned works from them, and they have continued to grow their name as produced of fine crystal goods.
The Hennessy X.O Mathusalem holds a remarkable 6-litres of Cognac and is designed to look like melting ice. Gehry drew his inspiration for the design from the classic glass of Hennessy Cognac served on the rocks. Furthermore, his passion for the movement of light and its interaction with his creations is evident in the Mathusalem. About his design, Gehry said, “To me, it’s exciting to see something that pushes the boundaries, that has never been done before. I hope what we’ve created lives up to the same passion and craftsmanship that the makers of Hennessy in Cognac put into their product”.
For generations, the glass-wear makers at Baccarat have been perfecting their craft, and their curated savoir-faire was allowed them to execute the complexities of Gehry’s design flawlessly. The design pushed many boundaries, and Baccarat’s artisans were required to use rare techniques to bring his intricate design to life. Moreover, they had to implement new techniques, create specific tools and adapt thermal cycles. Each of the 30 unique Mathusalems required an individual mould to be made. It took several months to create the impressive decanters, and they incorporated Baccarat’s key elements of earth, water, air and fire.
“This design takes Frank Gehry’s signature sculptural style, Baccarat’s know-how and Hennessy’s daring sensibilities to the next level. With crystal expertly carved in a way that mimics the look of the classic serve of Hennessy X.O over ice, something that inspired Gehry during the design process, this sculptural masterpiece showcases the richness of the spirit while paying homage to the craftsmanship that goes into making this exquisite product” said Laurent Boillot, Hennessy President and Chief Executive Officer.
The 30 Mathusalems will be selectively distributed in exclusive, luxury retail and through private sale points. Each will be sold for 150,000 Euros. Each decanter represents the passion and perfectionism of Hennessy, Gehry and Baccarat, and for the lucky 30 owners, they are sure to evoke emotion and make a lasting impression.