In 1864, Auguste Legras took over the St-Denis glassworks and founded Legras. He was an experienced glassmaker and began producing a huge quantity of glass in many commercial types and styles.
The company quickly became successful and profitable enough to take over the Pantin establishment (glass factory) in 1897.
At the great Universal Exhibition in Paris, Auguste Legras discovered Emile Gallé, which led him to focus on the production of Art Nouveau style glass, including the cameo glass work that Gallé was doing.
In 1909, Auguste retired and the company passed into the hands of his son Charles, who quickly began to focus on perfume bottles for the Cotycompany. They secured a contract to produce the first perfume bottles before René Lalique became Coty's exclusive designer.
