Georgian Modified Cruciform Glass Decanter c1740

Description

Heading : 18th century cruciform decanter
Date : c1740
Period : George II
Origin : England
Colour : Clear
Neck : Triple annulated neck ring or string ring
Body : Criciform
Pontil : Snapped    
Glass Type : Lead
Size : 20.5cm tall with a 7cm base
Condition : The inside is slightly bloomed
Restoration : None
Weight : 415 grams

Cruciform decanters were not stoppered.  They were corked. They may also have been intended for sparkling wines and cider. The latter may undergo a secondary malolactic fermentation in the bottle to yield some effervescence. This may account for the thick glass and sturdy nature of cruciform decanters. The string ring on a cruciform in the context of sparkling wines is therefore analgous to those found on wine bottles. a device to which string could be bound in order to restrain a cork. 

References :

The Decanter an Illustrated history of glass from 1650 By Andy McConnell – Page 68 Plate 93.

English Bottles and Decanters 1650 – 1900 By Derek C. Davis – Page 36 Plate 16.

Glass Collectors and their Collections in Museums in Great Britain – Page 47 Figure 13.

The Golden Age of English Glass By Dwight P. Lanmon – Page 282 Plate 97.