Georgian wine glasses of all 18th century wine glasses are the most widely admired and collected. The refined elegance of an antique Georgian wine glass has never been surpassed in any dimension. The proportions of a cordial glass, the tactile nature of an 18th century baluster stem and pedestal stem. The refractive beauty in air twist and facet cut stems by candlelight. The perfect proportions of light balusters and plain stem forms. The captivating trance induced by an opaque twist stem and vivid colour twist stems. There are a multitude of shaped bowls and knopped stem combinations. How did they do that ? …is a frequent reaction to sight of your first coin glass or hollow stem made two and a half centuries ago. When all this is combined it makes Georgian glass the most collectible glassware of all.
Georgian period social history is reflected in the fabric of the glass itself. The advent of lead glass in England replaced the soda glass introduced by the Atlarists and surpassed the cristallo of Venice in quality. This markov step in quality gave rise to envy and the resultant espionage, bribery amd corruption. The social history revealed upon engraved Georgian glasses is widely known in the context of political Jacobite and Williamite glasses but this is just one facet of the genre. Engraving expressing greetings and best wishes or success to a specific commercial venture such as a mill, a farm, ship, a specific town, a trade, guild or society, Knights Templar and Freemasons, Cycle Club and Friendly Hunt require threads of history to be unravelled by the collector. Glasss engraved with the names long forgotten or little known liqor Sack, Shrub and Malmsey inspire many to seek them out. .A “Kings shilling” embedded in the base of an 18th century tankard may have seen an imbiber press ganged and at Trafalgar. Rummers engraved to commemorate heroes and loyal duty and both balustroid and hollow stems that remind us of duty and tax.
One of our collectors flew from South Africa to go to a church in Dorset to research the marriage records that correspond to a goblet he cherished. Another contacted Lloyds of London to find out about a particular ship commemorated on a glass. Such additional provenance always enhances the overall appreciation and pleasure associated with owning and using a piece of 18th century glass.
Some people collect for investment purposes but come to appreciate other facets of Georgian glass, the sheer variety, the beauty and style of the pieces. No matter what the reason, all collectors share one thing. My own Georgian glass passions are for air twist Scottish glass of Leith and Edinburgh, and Dutch engraved spirit flasks.
We may use all of our glasses too, one client takes his period engraved ale glasses to the Pub ! For the more cautious then a table bedecked with wine, cordial glasses and rummers, deceptive drams and firing glasses, engraved rinsers and regency glass plates makes a dinner party truly memorable for guests. Please do be careful with, not only avoiding breakages, but in choosing the guest to try red wine from the trick glass ! Above all enjoy these truly beautiful objects for which we share your passion.
To the left of this text you will find a menu for 18th century glass stem types with items for sale in each category – please choose one which may interest you and take a look. This is a huge area of interest for collectors and we are not always able to help immediately. You may also view details of sold items and descriptions, this remains a good resource of information to collectors. If you wish to register with us and provide a “wish list” then you will be automatically notified when we have suitable items in stock.
If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact us. We will be delighted to assist, look through our stock and to send images of items that may suit your requirement.
