The brilliance of lead crystal is made from glass that has been treated with lead oxide and hand or machine cut to make facets. The lead oxide causes the glass to have a higher index of refraction and creates an attractive sparkling effect that is prized throughout the world. The working with lead glass can be preformed at lower temperature which allows the glassmaker to reach the desired shape of the perfectly clear and flawless finished lead crystal piece, which when tapped causes the glass to oscillate and to have a ringing tone that distinguishes it from cheaper glass.

This unique crystal vase with an image of Tadeusz Kosciuszko is a life long cherishing commemorative piece. The production of this marvelous piece is entirely made by hand. The design on the hand formed piece of high quality lead crystal glass was crafted using hand cutting and etching techniques; it is a wonderful example of Polish craftsmanship. The functional as well as decorative red colored straight vase is embellished in amazingly fine detail. This absolutely gorgeous artistic design projects a red foreground scene of Tadeusz Kosciuszko on horseback riding with his soldiers with yellow colored accents under his horse's hoofs.

• 24% Lead Crystal
• Measures approx. 5.5" in Diameter x 13.0" Tall
• Made in Poland

Born in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of his time, Tadeusz Kosciuszko (1746-1817) was a Polish, Lithuanian, American, and Belarusian national hero and military general. Kosciuszko fought as a Colonel in the American Revolutionary War, Lieutenant General in the Polish-Russian War of 1792, and Commander-in-Chief of the Kosciuszko Uprising in 1794. As one of Poland's most brilliant military commanders of the time, Kosciuszko receive the Virtuti Militari Medal, Poland's highest military decoration even today, for his leadership in the War of 1792. He aided many U.S. slaves to obtain their freedom and completely freed all his own serfs. Mikael Dziewanowski identified him as a "pioneer of emancipation and a spokesman for racial democracy and justice in eighteenth-century America" and Thomas Jefferson regarded him "as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known." All around the world many places now bear his name in commemoration.

Great care must be taken when cleaning and storing your lead crystal items as they are certainly beautiful but fragile. Some experts recommend to use a hair dryer on the cool air setting to lift dry dust particles from lead crystal. While one should refrain from applying harsh commercial cleaners, it is safe to polish lead crystal lightly with a soft, lint-free cloth while wearing gloves to avoid leaving unwanted fingerprints. When possible, store lead crystal items in a glass display case.