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Wine glass
Unknown - Enlarge image
Wine glass
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
ca. 1780 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Engraved glass
- Credit Line:
Given by C. B. Farmer
- Museum number:
52A-1904
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 118a, case 5
Object Type
A typical wine glass of the late 18th century, this example, with its elaborate and expensive engraving, would have formed part of a set.
Design & Designing
From about 1780, the long succession of different types of tall stemmed wine glasses made in Britain from the early 18th century was finally abandoned in favour of more compact versions. These shorter glasses - made in only two parts, the stem being drawn from the bottom of the bowl - were more stable, their rather plain forms being enhanced with cut flutes or facets. Not only were they elegant, but they perfectly complemented contemporary decanters, which followed exactly the same form but upside-down. Such skilled wheel-engraving in the fashionable Neo-classical taste was probably added by specialist glass dealers who had their own cutting shops - mainly in London. Engraved decoration could double the cost of a glass.
