SOLD – Georgian Hollow Stem Excise Glass c1750

Description

This is a superb piece of history representing some of the glass manufacturing innovations which were introduced after the Glass Excise Tax of 1746. The glass has a Trumpet bowl above a hollow stem and large conical foot. English lead. no chips cracks or restoration. it measures 5 ¾ inches tall with a 2 7/8 inch bowl and 3 ¼ inch foot.

The glass tax was introduced in Great Britain in 1746. during the reign of George II. Glass was at that time sold by weight. and manufacturers responded by producing smaller. more highly decorated objects. often with hollow stems. known today as “Excise glasses”. In 1780. the government granted Ireland free trade in glass without taxation. resulting in the establishment of glassworks in Cork and Waterford. In 1825. the tax in Ireland was restored. and gradually the industry declined. until the glass tax was abolished by Sir Robert Peel’s government in 1845.

References :

English Drinking Glasses by Ronald Gabriel – Page 22 Plate 11   

Eighteenth Century English drinking glasses an Illustrated Guide. By L.M Bickerton – Page 148 Plate 385.