Goblet cover

A goblet cover made of transparent glass with a slightly pinkish hue which is contaminated with small air bubbles (which is recognised as a defect in the molten glass). The cover was manufactured at Huta Kryształowa (Crystal Factory), the first magnate-owned facility producing luxury glass and established by Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski in 1717. As from the early days of operation, the emphasis was put on top-quality goods made of crystal glass, so called because of its clarity and hardness which make it resemble rock crystal. The cover decoration shows crossed branches of palm tree and laurel – a motif frequently used at the Crystal Factory and found on numerous goblets, mainly on feet and covers.

The item is not complete, so it would be difficult to trace its history on the basis of historical inventories from Wilanów. Probably it was originally a part of the historical collection. It is made of the same slightly pinkish glass and shows similarities in form and decoration to other covers constituting complete sets for the goblets with coats of arms included in the Wilanów collection (items Wil.27-Wil.29). It can be surmised, therefore, that the Wilanów collection comprised other goblets belonging to the same tableware set.