Charles III opaline expanded vase

Beltrán Ausó Collection Glass. Mould blown and worked to the point h: 11cm; w: 9 cm; h: 6,5 cm Real Fábrica de Cristales. 18th century.

Beltrán Ausó Collection Glass. Mould blown and worked to the point h: 11cm; w: 9 cm; h: 6,5 cm Real Fábrica de Cristales. 18th century.

Opaline glass beaker. Flat base, inverted truncated cone-shaped body with protruding rim and rounded lip. La Granja glass. Floral enamelled decoration and gilt fillet on the upper rim. Polychrome Bourbon royal coat of arms framed by two palms and three floral garlands on which is written in capital letters "VIVA EL REY CARLOS III" (LONG LIVE KING CARLOS III).

The Royal Glass Factory of La Granja was founded under the auspices of the Crown in the time of Philip V, giving rise to a great glass industry, a true reflection of the greatness of the monarchy within the Enlightenment ideals and the mercantilist conception of the Royal Manufactures advocated in France. Masters of different nationalities came here, which contributed to the elegance, quality and exquisiteness of the pieces produced in this factory, competing with Bohemians, Venetians, French, English and Germans. The manufacture of this white, opaque glass, opaline, with iridescence reminiscent of opal, is obtained by adding phosphate of lime to the colourless composition produced by burning animal bones. It has been made to order since 1751, but ten years later it has become one of La Granja's most successful products.

CS: 11247
AINAUD de LASARTE, J Year
RUIZ ALCÓN, M.T., 1969.