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Drinking glass
Ravenscroft, George, born 1632 - died 1683 - Enlarge image
Drinking glass
- Place of origin:
London, England (possibly, made)
Henley-on-Thames, England (possibly, made) - Date:
ca. 1677 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Ravenscroft, George, born 1632 - died 1683 (glass-maker)
Savoy Glasshouse (manufacturer) - Materials and Techniques:
Lead glass, mould-blown, with ribbing and applied raspberry prunts
- Credit Line:
Wilfred Buckley Collection
- Museum number:
C.530-1936
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 56d, case 13
Object Type
The 'Roemer' was simply an English copy of the traditional German green drinking glass that is still in use today. Perhaps because so little German wine was consumed in England, the special type of glass was always associated with it.
Collecting
Because of their infrequent use, several early lead-glass Roemers have survived. Very similar examples with seals of either a raven's head or a letter 'S' are now both considered Ravenscroft products. Documentary evidence shows that this maker used seals in 1676-7, but more precise dating poses a puzzle for glass historians. We know that in 1676 the Roemers could have been made at either of his two glasshouses: at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, or at the Savoy glasshouse in London. By 1677 the former was closed, however, so they could only have been made in London.
Trade
Before George Ravenscroft began producing these in the mid-1670s, the small but steady demand for German-type Roemers led to at least one London glass dealer ordering crystal glass versions from a Venetian glasshouse. Even though the clarity of crystal glass was much admired, it is rather surprising that the cheaper German Roemers were not imported. By the end of the 18th century, however, it became customary for English 'Old Hock' glasses (named after a German wine) to be made of green glass like the originals.
