George IV Engraved Ale Glass with Folded Foot c1825

Description

Heading : George III engraved ale glass with folded foot c1825
Period : George IV
Origin : England 
Colour : Clear 
Bowl : Funnel. engraved
Stem : An annular knop above a ball knop and ball cushion knop
Foot : Conical. folded
Pontil : Snapped
Glass Type : Lead 
Size :  12.5cm height.  6.3cm diameter bowl. 6.8cm diameter foot 
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks 
Restoration : None 
Weight: 102 grams 

A fine Georgian ale glass with folded foot and engraved bowl.  The engraving depicts a bird in flight and foliate design. This is not an 18th century example but one made in the early 19th century when the use of folded feet was reintroduced for short period when the glass tax in Ireland was restored.

The industry in Ireland had three ficsal advantages over that in England for a short period. Firstly the absence of tax on the weight of glassware. Secondly cheap labour and finally a fre trade agreement with the rest of Britain after 1801. The advantage gained by low cost labour had all but dissipated by the early 19th century. When the tax free status was removed in 1825 then the industry in Ireland went into rapid decline. the cost of production exceeded that in England as their energy input costs were far greater.This was not the case in Stourbridge that was perfectly situated at one end of the vast South Staffordshire coalfield.