Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 120, The Wolfson Galleries

Wine Glass

1806-1808 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This glass was probably one of the three dozen 'Goblets' included in the order for the Prince of Wales's glass service in 1806. It would normally be termed a 'rummer' (from the German for 'Roman'). Such large glasses, invented about 1780, became extremely popular in the Regency period. They were used for beer, cider, and perhaps mixed drinks.

People
In 1806 the Prince of Wales made a grand visit to Liverpool. This visit effectively endorsed that wealthy city's association with the contentious slave trade. In gratitude to the Prince, the Council ordered a huge suite of table glass for him from the local manufacturer Perrin, Geddes & Co. of Warrington. When it arrived, the Prince thanked them for 'the most beautiful and ornamental specimens he ever saw of this valuable manufacture'.

It seems probable that for such an extremely expensive service, which took over a year to make, other craftsmen may have been involved. The local glass-cutter John Unsworth, who styled himself 'Manufacturer to His Majesty and to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales', may have been one.

Time
During the Regency period, 'Prinnie' (Frederick, Prince of Wales) was the leader of fashion. The era was notable for its concentration on luxury materials and conspicuous consumption, including that of food and wine. The Prince presented a pair of these glass goblets to a favoured pastry cook, Julius Jacob Bohn of Pall Mall. Bohn's direct descendant gave them to the Museum in 1980.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glass, cut and engraved
Brief description
Wine glass, England (Warrington), made by Perrin, Geddes & Co, 1806-1808, C.179-1980.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Engraved with the Prince of Wales's crest and motto
Gallery label
From a service made for the Prince of Wales in 1806-8.
Credit line
Given by G. L. Bohn
Object history
Made by Perrin, Geddes & Co. of Warrington, Lancashire.
Summary
Object Type
This glass was probably one of the three dozen 'Goblets' included in the order for the Prince of Wales's glass service in 1806. It would normally be termed a 'rummer' (from the German for 'Roman'). Such large glasses, invented about 1780, became extremely popular in the Regency period. They were used for beer, cider, and perhaps mixed drinks.

People
In 1806 the Prince of Wales made a grand visit to Liverpool. This visit effectively endorsed that wealthy city's association with the contentious slave trade. In gratitude to the Prince, the Council ordered a huge suite of table glass for him from the local manufacturer Perrin, Geddes & Co. of Warrington. When it arrived, the Prince thanked them for 'the most beautiful and ornamental specimens he ever saw of this valuable manufacture'.

It seems probable that for such an extremely expensive service, which took over a year to make, other craftsmen may have been involved. The local glass-cutter John Unsworth, who styled himself 'Manufacturer to His Majesty and to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales', may have been one.

Time
During the Regency period, 'Prinnie' (Frederick, Prince of Wales) was the leader of fashion. The era was notable for its concentration on luxury materials and conspicuous consumption, including that of food and wine. The Prince presented a pair of these glass goblets to a favoured pastry cook, Julius Jacob Bohn of Pall Mall. Bohn's direct descendant gave them to the Museum in 1980.
Bibliographic reference
Charles Truman, English Glassware to 1900 (1984) pl.25. Howard Coutts, 'London Cut Glass. The Work of John Blades and Messrs Jones', Antique Collecting, June 1987. Cherry & Richard Gray, 'The Prince's Glasses. Some Warrington Cut Glass 1806-1811', Journal of the Glass Ass. Vol.2, 1987.
Other number
9125 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Accession number
C.179-1980

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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