SOLD – Pair Victorian Richardson Crystal Liqueur Decanters c1890

Description

All that glistens is not gold. As much as it hurts me to divulge this as a dyed in the wool Scotsman. every thistle shaped glass or decanter was not made in Edinburgh

The thistle pattern was introduced to the Edinburgh and Leith flint glass company around the same time that it was purchased by the notable English manufacturers Thomas Webb of Stourbridge. This is not a coincidence. Webb’s rival Richardsons has been producing an alternative thistle pattern from 1880 to 1900. With the Edinburgh version the pattern the base of the thistle. known as the involcure. is at the top of the decanter. With the earlier Richardson version the involcure of the thistle is at the base of the decanter. effectively the same way that thistle would grow with the flower at the top. There are other differences. nost notably the Edinburgh version the involcure is more rounded. in the Richadson version the radius of curvature changes where the flower and the involcure meet. there is a shoulder. We have included an image from the Edinburgh pattern book to complete the story. 

We have held and sold many dozens of Edinburgh decanters of various sizes from the 1930s to the 1970s and again at a native of the city itself it pains me to say that the Richadson version is wholly more naturalistic and the cutting and engraving is of a higher standard. The glass is also much darker than all of the Edinburgh equivalents.

The stoppers are original. fitted. thistle shaped and engraved . To be absolutely clear. the stoppers are made to fit each decanter uniquely and cannot be swapped over. The decanters have wide pouring rims with slice cut shoulders. Engraved thistle leaves and flowers above a field of fine cut diamonds. Star cut base. These were marketed as liquer decanters and may still be provisioned for that purpose or spirits. Will grace any dining table. but Scottish alas no laddie.

No chips cracks or restoration to either decanter. clean and clear they measure 9 ½ inches tall and are deceptively weighty at 1.5Kgs each. Stunning