Goblet

The goblet was 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.

The goblet has a low, baluster-shaped, bevelled stem and a very tall, slim bowl. Its main decorations are the Mniszech coat of arms and the Szembek coat of arms in a cartouche beneath the crown, surrounded by a panoply. Most probably the coats of arms belonged to August Wandalin Mniszech (1715–1778) and his first wife, Bihilda née Szembek (ca.1723–1747). In all likelihood, the goblet became a part of the Wilanów collection owing to Aleksandra Potocka, wife of August Potocki, and it came from the collection of her father, Stanisław Septym Potocki. His collection also included other glassware with the Mniszech coat of arms (Stanisław Septym’s mother was Amalia née Mniszech, daughter of Jerzy August Wandalin from his first marriage).

New techniques and materials, i.e. crystal glass, polishing and engraving, which had started to be used in many factories in the mid-17th century completed changed the glass fashion trends in Europe. 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. The vessel from the Wilanów collection is an example of this style.

This tall and slim design of the goblet became popular in Saxony in the first half of the 18th century. Due to their shape, such goblets are called flutes or champagne glasses for reasons related to their function at the table. They could be found already in the 16th century in Venice and they were used to serve wine, especially sparkling wine. Some of these vessels had a cover.