Yes, I've seen the $15 crystal flutes that you can buy in knick-knack shops, but this is different.
I was searching for something completely different and came across http://www.antiqueflutes.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?snum=850.
(Aside: I really like the antiqueflutes.com website. Has some great detail pics and lots of factoids.)
Based on some other research, Claude Laurent started manufacturing crystal flutes (he had a patent, too) around 1807. According to the NMM (which also has some very nice pics), "... Laurent flutes were owned not only by James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, but also by Emperor Napoleon I of France, King Louis Napoleon of Holland, King Joseph Bonaparte of Spain, and Emperor Franz I of Austria."
I also find it extremely interesting that you can buy one of these 200 (or so) year old flutes today. For around $15,000.
He also built a few with different color glass.
I was searching for something completely different and came across http://www.antiqueflutes.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?snum=850.
(Aside: I really like the antiqueflutes.com website. Has some great detail pics and lots of factoids.)
Based on some other research, Claude Laurent started manufacturing crystal flutes (he had a patent, too) around 1807. According to the NMM (which also has some very nice pics), "... Laurent flutes were owned not only by James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, but also by Emperor Napoleon I of France, King Louis Napoleon of Holland, King Joseph Bonaparte of Spain, and Emperor Franz I of Austria."
I also find it extremely interesting that you can buy one of these 200 (or so) year old flutes today. For around $15,000.
He also built a few with different color glass.