Opaque Twist Stems
Georgian opaque twist wine glasses are the second most common form of all Georgian glasses after classical plain stems and they are the easiest to recognise and have mesmerising variations in both pattern and colour. In the USA opaque twist glasses are often referred to as cotton twist stems, cotton twist glasses or simply 18th century twist stem glasses.
Placing enamel canes into a metal cylinder and filling with molten glass ensured each cane retained their relative position. A process of re-heating and drawing out the stem and carefully twisting the rod resulted in a seemingly endless variety of patterns. The addition of coloured rods further increased the variation and complexity of structure within the stems.
The earliest and most rare examples are single series opaque twists (SSOT). Double series opaque twists result from the careful placing of the inner elements (straight rods of enamel) into a mould ,a '”carrot” is made with the inner elements still straight. This carrot is then introduced into another mould, with the canes carefully placed to form the outer element, and another gather of glass is then placed over the whole carrot which is pulled and twisted to form the end result.
Triple series were also made but are very rare indeed. English and continental soda examples are quite plentiful but the lead metal examples are more desirable.
All bowls types and sizes of drinking glasses are encountered with opaque twist stems, from the tall end elegant ratafia and toasting glasses , long stemmed cordials and small firing glasses. The Beiby family frequently enamelled the bowls of opaque twists, it is the most common stem form for Lynn moulded bowls and genuine Jacobite sympathy glasses following The ‘45 are also found in this form.
The most frequently encountered colour twist is red of a Georgian wine glass, particularly in non-lead glass examples of Dutch origin, with blue and pink being harder to find. Purple, green and yellow single colour twists become progressively rarer. Two-colour combinations are rare but not as highly sought after as three-colour combinations, which command considerable interest from both collectors and investors, museums and aesthetes alike.
Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
A very fine single series opaque twist wine glass from c1760 in excellent condition. For more antique wine glasses, including a wide range of Georgian wine glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£260.00
Double Series Opaque Twist Georgian Ratafia Glassc1760
A very fine double series opaque twist Georgian champagne flute or ale glass from c1760. For more antique wine glasses please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£275.00
A Georgian Pan-topped Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
A Georgian Pan-topped Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£250.00
Georgian Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
Opaque twist wine glass from c1760 in excellent condition. For a wide range of antique Georgian wine glasses including facet cut and baluster stem wine glasses please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£220.00
A Fine Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1810
A very fine double series opaque twist wine glass from c1810 in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£225.00
Rib Moulded Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
A very fine rib moulded double series opaque twist wine glass in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian drinking glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£225.00
Rare Stem Formation Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
A very fine double series opaque twist wine glass in excellent condition. For more antique glassware, including a wide range of Georgian wine glasses, please visit Scottish Antiques online store.
£185.00
Rare Georgian Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
Rare Georgian Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£275.00
A Very Fine English Engraved Blue and White Colour Twist Wine Glass c1765
A Very Fine English Engraved Blue and White Colour Twist Wine Glass c1765
£6,250.00
A Fine 18th Century Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
A Fine 18th Century Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£180.00
Georgian Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1750
Georgian Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1750
£185.00
Engraved and Polished Georgian Opaque Twist Short Wine Glass c1760
Engraved and Polished Georgian Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£155.00
Rare Very Tall Georgian Multi-Spiral Opaque Twist Glass c1760
Rare Very Tall Georgian Multi-Spiral Opaque Twist Glass c1760
£240.00
Georgian Rib Moulded Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
Georgian Rib Moulded Single Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£225.00
A Large 18th Century Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
A Large 18th Century Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£240.00
Georgian Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
Georgian Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£145.00
Georgian Pan Topped Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
Georgian Pan Topped Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£275.00
An Antique Rib Moulded Georgian Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
An Antique Rib Moulded Georgian Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£170.00
A Rib Moulded Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
A Rib Moulded Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£170.00
Georgian Knopped Multi Series Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
Georgian Knopped Multi Series Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£260.00
A Petal Moulded Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
A Petal Moulded Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£135.00
Georgian Rib Moulded Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass
Georgian Rib Moulded Double Series Opaque Twist Wine Glass
£220.00
A North European Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1780
A North European Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1780
£140.00
A Single Series Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
A Single Series Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£220.00
An Engraved Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
An Engraved Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£275.00
A Stunning 18th Century Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
A Stunning 18th Century Opaque Twist Wine Glass c1760
£180.00
A Waisted Bucket Bowl Single Series Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
A Waisted Bucket Bowl Single Series Opaque Twist Stem Wine Glass c1760
£350.00
Antique Opaque Twist Stem Champagne Flute c1760
One of many antique wine glasses to be found in our online store
£190.00