Drinking bygones of the last two centuries encompass both fascinating early, handblown bottles and beautiful cut-glass decanters and claret jugs.

Ark green and brown bottle glass was introduced into Britain in the early 17th century, and was adopted as the best available material for storing wine. The more elegant decanter came into common usage for serving wine and spirits early in the 18th century, and was particularly popular during the Victorian era. Bottles were also used for drugs, medicines, poisons, ink and food relishes from the 19th century onwards.

Bottles

Most bottle collections today date from the 17th to the mid- 1 9th century. Many early English glass bottles show irregularities because they were handblown, but this will not necessarily diminish their value.

Antique Collection

One of the easiest ways to date old wine bottles is by their shape. Between their introduction around 1630 and a century later, bottle shapes changed radically from a round, bulbous-bodied form with a long neck to a cylindrical shape close to the one we know today. Spherical ’shaft and globe‘ bottles, as the earliest examples are known, are rare and can fetch up to £3000 when sold at auction.

The retail sale of wine was not permitted in Britain until around the end of the 17th century, so bottles were sent to specialist wine merchants for filling. Wealthy people had bottles specially made with a personal seal impressed on the side, and these often have a date as well. Bottles with seals were made until the mid-19th century, and examples in good condition sell for £1500-£2000. Any peculiarities such as a deformed seal make these bottles even more desirable and expensive.

The earliest moulded bottles date from the last years of the 18th century, although the shoulder and neck were still formed by hand. Bottles of this type can fetch up to £300.

Decanters and Jugs

The glass decanter was introduced during the early 18th century. Many decanters from the second half of the 18th century — including some in ‘Bristol’ blue glass — are engraved or gilded with a name label, and these and later decanters are now coming back into fashion.

A pair of matching early Georgian wine decanters, for example, may fetch from £200 up to £1000, depending on their size, decoration, whether the glass is clear or coloured and whether the stoppers are original or replacements. Individual examples, pairs and sets of all dates are sought after today.

Large matching wine services, which include glasses as well as jugs and decanters, first appeared in the 1840s. Original services would have as many as five or six different decanters and either six or 12 of each type of drinking glass, including tumblers. Glasses are usually found singly, but some have also survived in sets. Green glass items used for white wine and made in the fashionable, broad-fluted cut-glass style can fetch as much as £350 for a decanter, although single green glasses can still be found for £20-£40 each.

Late 19th-century decanters from such sets are generally one of three types — pint, quart or the distinctive claret decanter with a handle. These claret jugs often have elaborate engraved, etched or cut decoration on the sides, a silver engraved collar and a silver or glass handle. A typical example may fetch £390-£700. A tantalus (cased set of decanters) from this period sells for about £500 up. A Victorian water set consisting of a jug and two goblets can be had for about £500, depending on its condition. But complete sets are rare and it is more common to find a jug alone for £200-£300.

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Bottles, Decanters and Jugs Collection