Goblet

A goblet made of transparent glass. The Wilanów collection includes another goblet with very similar decoration, but a different size (Wil.90). Though similarly decorated, the two vessels differ in details: the size, the form and the ornamentation, but the original glass mass was the same. Such differences are typical of manual production and can be frequently found in glassware from this period.

It 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. Following the death of Elżbieta Sieniawska, wife of Adam Mikołaj, in 1729, the situation of the factory changed. Its new owner was Jan Sebastian Szembek who also took the office of the Lubaczów starost. Many of the employees coming from the Sieniawski estates decided to return home, which deprived the factory of highly qualified personnel. It is often assumed that the glassware with more simplified decoration was manufactured during this transition period when new employees were still trained.

The goblet displays only engraved floral decoration on the bowl and the foot: twigs with small leaves and flowers. The glass is slightly contaminated with air bubbles, which is recognised as a defect of the product.