antique-drinking-glasses-and-decanters

Compared with ceramics of the same date, much antique glass remains relatively inexpensive. You can still find sets of 19th century glasses for under £100 at antiques shops and general auctions, and incredibly, an antique decanter will often cost less than a modern one.

During the 18th century, large numbers of drinking glasses were made. The variety available means that there are many ways of collecting glass. You may decide to focus your collection on, say, air twists, Jacobite glass, cordials, or gilded glass, or you may prefer to simply collect single examples of each type. Simpler 18th century glasses may cost £50-100, but those with elaborate or unusual decoration can be very much more valuable.

Antique Collection

Signs of Age

  • a foot that is wider than the rim
  • flaws in the glass indicating it was handmade
  • a bumpy “pontil mark” under the foot
  • a greenish or greyish tinge in the glass
  • signs of wear on the foot — fine and irregular scratches.

Jacobite Glasses

Glasses engraved with roses, doves and oak leaves were made in the 18th century to show furtive allegiance to the Old Pretender (James Edward Stuart) and the Young Pretender (Charles Edward Stuart). Jacobite glasses are particularly collectable but can be expensive — an especially rare one was sold in 1992 for £66,000.

Colour Twists

Sterns with threads of coloured glass are keenly sought after; value depends on the number of colours. This one has blue and opaque white twists, and would be worth about £1,500.

Gilded Glass

Glasses with original, soft 18th century gilding, such as this one, are very desirable, but are rarely seen in perfect condition. £500+

Beware

You can spot less desirable later gilding, by its harder, brighter appearance.

This is a multiknopped stem, so called because of the series of projections with which it is decorated; some stems have only one knop, which may contain a tear drop of air, other stems are decorated with air twists.

This glass has a domed foot, characteristic of many early glasses; others have conical feet. Check the edge of the rim for unevenness, as this may mean a chip has been ground down.

Decanters

Decanters were often decorated with engraved or gilded labels describing their contents. This one is made from “Bristol” blue glass — an area associated with coloured decanters, although not all were made there. £250-850

COLLECTORS CATEGORIZE AND VALUE GLASSES ACCORDING TO THE SHAPE AND DECORATION OF THE BOWL, STEM AND FOOT. THIS ONE IS OF MEDIUM QUALITY – IT HAS A PLAIN BOWL AND A RELATIVELY SIMPLE STEM, BUT BECAUSE IT IS LARGER THAN MOST (MEASURING 23CM/9IN) IT IS WORTH ABOUT £500.

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Drinking Glasses & Decanters