Title
Hot-air balloon with the initials of Louis XVI
Caption
Cristallerie Daum
Hot-air balloon with the initials of Louis XVI, numbered 42/950.
Frosted crystal, with gold (31 cm, diameter 22 cm)
Muller-Quênot Collection
Info+
On 19th September 1783, Etienne Montgolfier attended the aerostatic experiment requested by Louis XVI in the presence of several diplomats who had come to sign the American Treaty of Independence. On return to the capital Etienne began to devise plans for a new balloon that could transport two men. He had to review the structure of the aerostat and in doing so decided to replace the basket with a circular gondola surrounding the furnace. The employees at the Réveillon factory began work on this new machine. The aerostat was two hundred thousand metres cubed. It was finely decorated with the initials of Louis XVI, mascarons (sculpted figureheads) surrounded by suns, draperies, eagles and the signs of the zodiac.
This luxurious balloon was finished on 8th October 1783.
Date
1989
Credit line
Photo12/Association Muller Quenot Rosheim
Reference
MQR10A00_155
License type
Rights managed
Available size
53,9Mb (3,0Mb) / 12,7in x 16,5in / 3798 x 4961 (300dpi)