Founded in 1882, the institution, like many decorative arts museums of the late nineteenth century, strove to strengthen relationships between industry and manufacturing and culture and design. Its mission statement was to “keep alive in France the artistic culture that makes useful things beautiful.” The museum’s collection is home to 150,000 objects, of which around 6,000 are on permanent display.

The cornerstone of the institution’s Lobmeyr collection is a large purchase made in 1878 at the Paris World Exhibition, which includes several pieces that were donated by Ludwig Lobmeyr and encompasses important examples of historicism and orientalism. The museum is home to multiple iconic twentieth-century designs by Adolf Loos, Jaroslav Horec, Josef Hoffmann, Odwald Haerdtl, Hans Harald Rath, and Matteo Thun. From the twenty-first century, the museum shows Lobmeyr glassware based on designs by Ted Muehling, Polka, and Formafantasma.

The highly acclaimed museum shop, 107RIVOLI, offers a unique selection of art books as well as an exquisite range of jewellery, design items, and accessories, including several Lobmeyr products. The shop window of 107RIVOLI is a beacon for design lovers from Paris and all around the world. Lobmeyr’s Ripple Light, an experimental mobile body of light, was presented to the world audience here.