Cristalleria Empoli - Drinking set (10) - Crystal

A decidedly imposing glass, commonly called a ballon or snifter, traditionally used to taste spirits such as brandy or cognac. The bowl (the upper part) features a bulbous shape that narrows upward to trap the aromas. The upper half is decorated with a dense band of diamond-pointed geometric engraving (raised lozenges) that create strong light reflections. The lower half of the bowl, however, is characterized by wide columnar or slit cuts (smooth vertical facets) that clearly reveal the color of the liquid. The stem is short and sturdy, designed specifically to allow the bowl to rest in the palm of the hand, gently warming the spirit. The base (the bottom), circular, is embellished with a rich radiating star motif carved beneath the base, which provides stability and enhances the object's brilliance when lifted. Produced in the 1980s by the Empoli crystal works in Tuscany. It simply used paper or metallized adhesive labels (which over time, with washing, were lost). Size: height 12 cm x mouth diameter 5.3 cm.