Montcenis (possibly)

Four crystal wine glasses with ‘N’ and Imperial crown

11.5 cm

1804-1814

Crystal

These glasses may have come from ‘Montcenis’ a crystal manufacture based near Le Creusot in the Saône et Loire, under the directorship of Benjamin Francis Ladouèpe-Dufougerais. This company was in operation from 1786 to 1832, and was the main supplier of crystal to the Imperial table, having secured the support of the Empress Josephine. The French National Archives holds many ‘mémoires de fourniture’ or invoices for provision of glasses for the Imperial palaces and for ‘re-matching of broken pieces’ (quite numerous, it seems). We know that there were several types of services used according to etiquette: The ‘service de S.M. l'Empereur’ (Service of the Emperor), the ‘des officiers’ (officers) and the ‘Common’ (ordinary), sometimes called the ‘Universal’ service. In each of these there were four types of glasses: à vin de Champagne (champagne), à vin d'entremet (dessert), à vin de liqueur (fortified wine)

and liqueur. The four glasses shown here would probably have been used for a ‘Bordeaux’ wine or possibly for a fortified wine.

Ref: La Cave de Josephine - Le vin sous l’Empire à Malmaison Pub: 2009 page 122 item 136