A Belgian Fine Rib Moulded Champagne Flute 1775

Description

Heading : An 18th century champagne flute
Period : Second half 18th century
Origin :Belgium. Namur or Liege
Colour : Clear 
Bowl : Pointed funnel . the stem is a continuation of the bowl
Stem : None
Foot : High conical
Pontil : Snapped
Glass Type : Lead free
Size :  14.2cm height.  6.5cm diameter bowl. 7.1cm diameter foot 
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks 
Restoration : None 
Weight:  65grams 

This form is invariably associated with Sebastien Zoude ( 1707-1779) the man who brought lead crystal to Wallonia. He was the most prominent glass maker of his day in Namur. At a time when the “secret” for “glass of lead” was closely guarded by the English he did through his own hardwork . research and industrial espionage achieve his own first “crystal” by 1753 refined further by 1761.

This may pre-date crystal glass in Belgium. this is lead free or it may simply have been made in Liege in a style similar to that of Zoude. The experts on such matters are the Le Grand Curtius Museum and they advise that this was made in Belgium in the second half of the 18th century and is late 18th century worst case.