Goblet cover

A goblet cover made of transparent glass with a slightly greyish hue. Its main decoration is the matte engraved wreath of long and short filigree leaves. The cover is topped with a tall pinnacle in the shape of a baluster, empty on the inside, bevelled (e.g. polished in such a manner as to obtain flat surfaces that have different angles, which allows to accentuate the merits of the glass).

The cover was most probably manufactured at Huta Kryształowa (Crystal Factory), the first magnate-owned facility producing luxury glass and established by hetman Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski (1666–1726) 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 which makes it resemble rock crystal. New techniques and materials, i.e. crystal glass, polishing and engraving, which had started to be used in many European factories in the mid-17th century completed changed the glass fashion trends. Venice and its delicate, tinted and decorated glassware were replaced on banquet tables by heavy and massive vessels, with their transparency accentuated by bevelling and engraved decoration. This cover from the Wilanów collection is an example of this style.

In all likelihood, the cover belongs to the Wilanów historical collection, but since there is no matching goblet, it would be difficult to associate the cover with any records in the palace inventories.