Facet Cut Stems
Georgian facet cut stem wine glasses and sweetmeats are still widely appreciated today, especially by candle light, however, they did not become fashionable in England until the excise act of 1777 almost doubled the tax due on home produced product. Facet cut glasses had been produced on the continent since the early 18th century and possibly earlier and were produced in England by Bohemian and German cutters as early as 1709, but the relocation of the British Glass manufacturing to Ireland and a uniquely “British style” of cutting resulted in a surge in popularity.
Early English cutting is very two dimensional, interlocking flat planes, whereas contemporary European cutting is three-dimensional. This may be due to the skill levels or fashion, but we prefer the latter as German and Bohemian cutters were brought to London to ply their trade. Hollow diamond cuts seem to prevail from c1745 onwards. This may have been due to general availability of better quality glass following the introduction of "tunnel lehrs" which gave better temperature control and annealing resulting in less glass being damaged by thermal shock. Interestingly the Georgians used the term "scalloping" for what we would call cutting. They used the term cutting for bevels on mirrors.
On the finer examples not only the stem is cut with hollow diamonds, scales or flutes running the full length of the stem. The bowl too may also be cut in full or in part and the foot may be both cut with flutes or diamonds and the edge of the foot may also be scalloped. The flat flute-cut stems are from the late Georgian and early Regency periods.
Drinking glass stems are
frequently found with facet cut centre stem knops and occasionally a composite
of plain stem and cut stem above and below the knop.
Bowls are typically wheel engraved with fruiting vines, the fruits being polished, rococo swags and OXO, a continuous series of polished spots and cut crosses. It is worth noting that many Irish facet cut glasses have a thicker stem that would be anticipated with English pieces. This does not detract from the glass provided that the bowl is correctly proportioned.
It is with period centre sweetmeats that the art of cutting reached its zenith. On some very fine examples the entire surface will be cut and polished with scalloped feet and rims to the bowl. These may present the best value to the collector wishing to obtain period cut glass.
Cutting can be found on very early heavy baluster, cruet sets, chandeliers and other glass. There is no evidence to support earlier glasses being recut. People used to not understand that many styles of glasses were made over a long period of time and especially those of a light baluster type and have thought that they are earlier and later cut - not true , why would someone use an old fashioned glass to take to the cutter to be upgraded ? They would simply buy the latest fashion of cut glass, which would be a considerably cheaper exercise.
Very Fine Engraved Facet Cut Stem Ale Glass c1770
Very Fine Engraved Facet Cut Stem Ale Glass c1770
£160.00
Very Rare Georgian Facet Cut Wine Glass with Octagonal Foot c1800
A rare antique facet cut wine glass with an Octagonal foot. The first example of this foot type we have offered for sale
£380.00
An 18th Century Facet Cut Stem Cordial Glass c1770
An 18th Century Facet Cut Stem Cordial Glass c1770
£390.00
Very Rare Early Facet Cut Wine Glass With Domed Foot c1750
18th century wine glasses with domed feet and a true rarity. An item for the specilaist collector
£375.00
Pair of Fine Georgian Facet Cut Cordial Glasses c1780
A stunning pair of late eighteenth century cordial glasses with facet cut stems and intricately decorated bowls. These are typically late baroque early rococo. The most aesthetic facet cut wine glasses that we have had for many years
£425.00
Facet Cut Knopped Stem Georgian Wine Glass c1770
A very fine facet cut stem Georgian wine glass from c1770 in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£135.00
Fine Engraved Knopped Facet Cut Stem Wine Glass c1790
Engraved Knopped Facet Cut Stem Wine Glass c1790. he tooth marks are not necessarily the result of someone chewing on the glass. Those rich enough to own such a glass in the 18th century were ravaged by tooth decay and other less pleasant things.
£270.00
Engraved Georgian Facet Cut Wine Glass c1770
An early facet cut stem wine glass with engraved bowl. See more at the Scottish antique shop online
£250.00
An Engraved Facet Cut Stem Georgian Wine Glass c1770
A very fine Georgian facet cut stem wine glass from c1780 in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£130.00
Facet Cut Stem Georgian Wine Glass c1775
A very fine facet cut stem Georgian wine glass from c1775 in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£110.00
A Fine Engraved And Knopped Facet Cut Stem Georgian Wine Glass c1770
A very fine facet cut stem Georgian wine glass from c1770 in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£225.00
OXO Engraved Facet Cut Stem Wine Glass c1770
A very fine OXO engraved facet cut stem wine glass from c1780 in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£110.00
An Early Georgian Scallop Cut Stem Wine Glass c1770
An Early Georgian Scallop Cut Stem Wine Glass c1770
£130.00
Rare 18th Century Facet Cut Cordial Glass c1770
Rare 18th Century Facet Cut Cordial Glass c1770
£185.00