Flute

The drinking flute was made in the first half of the 18th c., probably in the glass factory near Lubaczów known as Huta Kryształowa ('Crystal Glassworks'), established in 1717 by the hetman Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski. He was married to Elżbieta Lubomirska, daughter of Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski - the owner of the Łańcut castle in the years 1699-1702. In the Łańcut Polish glassware collection, products from these nearby glassworks are the majority. It was one of the oldest Polish glass factories that achieved a very high, European craft level in its products. It was headed by Franciszek Fremel, an outstanding Saxon specialist, brought to Poland in 1710 by Augustus II the Strong. The glassworks were active throughout the 18th century. It produced glass tableware and candlesticks. Champagne flutes with a narrow and slender bowl on a baluster stem and a round foot were distinctive among toasting glasses. The above drinking flute is made of clear glass. It has a large, round foot with a curled edge, a hollow baluster stem, and a slender, conical bowl with a pointed end. The bowl is decorated with a carved figure of an eagle with its wings outstretched. The eagle is standing on grass and its head is turned towards the symbol of the sun (a face with rays). Below, there are floral festoons. The edge of the vessel has a fringe border ornament.