A Very Finely Engraved Air Twist Wine Glass c1750

Description

Heading : A Very Finely Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Wine Glass
Period : George II
Origin : England 
Colour : Clear 
Bowl : Round funnel engraved with a Tulip and Sow Thistle serrated leaves. A moth or butterfly in flight
Stem : Multi series air twist with ball knop collar and cushion
Foot : Folded conical
Pontil : Snapped
Glass Type : Lead 
Size :  16.2cm height.  5.4cm diameter bowl. 7.1cm diameter foot 
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks 
Restoration : None 
Weight:  142 grams 

In his seminal work on Jacobite wine glasses Seddon makes reference to several species of flora being deployed on Jacobite wine glasses. Forget-me-nots. sunflowers. honeysuckle and more. We believe that Tulips are a grave omission. We have seen on numerous occasions Tulips being used within the mixed floral engravings of acrostic wine glasses. In isolation they could be interpreted as a symbol of financial ruin. or quite simply Spring and rejuvenation. The moth or butterfly had been a deployed by engravers as a means of representing the Stuart family. the soul of England.  rather than a specific part of the lineage since the arrival of William IV at Brixham.