Description
An excellent Georgian Cordial Glass c1750 which has a small ogee bowl above a very tight multi spiral air twist stem. Conical foot with snapped pontil.
Cordials or “cordial waters” first came to Britain in the 14th century and were alcoholic medicinal herbal concoctions. By the 18th century these had become highly exotic and had hybridised into drinks taken as aperatifs before marathon dinners or after in the case of “surfeit waters”. They were also imbibed purely for their intoxicating effects rather then their medicinal purposes. We have all seen vodka containg gold leaf. and may have dismissed this as a modern marketing gimmick. “Aureum potabile” . drinkable gold is known from the middle ages and gold leaf and ground peals were used in cordials in the 18th century.
In addition to being obsessed with overindulgence the Georgians were quite obsessed with sex. Many cordials were made for their aphrodisiac potential. the most famous or potent of which was “rosa solis” made from the insectivorous sun dews found in marshes and bogs. Cordials became liquers but some known to the Georgians survive today. “Shrub” being the most well known and it is still widely mixed with rum. A good client also advises us that cordial glasses are very romantic to use on a special occasion. We shall ascertain which beverages were used.
English lead. no chips or cracks we would say the foot rim has had a polish at some time in the past as many period glases have. The foot is still 5/8th inches larger than the bowl. The edge of the foot is slightly rounded. rather than “sheared” with a sharper leading edge.
It measures 5 3/8 inches tall with a 1 5/8 inch bowl and 2 1/4 inch foot.
An unusual form. most multi spirals appear with a drawn trumpet bowl. not cordial bowls.
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