Decanter
1806-1808 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
From the 1760s, the wine bottle began to disappear from smart dining tables in favour of elegant, blown decanters with matching sets of glasses. After about 1800 these became heavier to allow for the expensive, deep, and often complex wheel cutting that characterised the Regency Style.
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.
Design & Designing
The unparalleled design of this decanter is so sophisticated that it has often been attributed to a London glass specialist such as John Blades, who we know employed architects as designers. The superb, lustrous lead glass itself, however, and the dramatic deep swirling cutting, are certainly attributable to Warrington. In terms of European cut glass, the Prince of Wales service must rank as one of the most astoundingly successful blends of material, design, and faultless technique.
From the 1760s, the wine bottle began to disappear from smart dining tables in favour of elegant, blown decanters with matching sets of glasses. After about 1800 these became heavier to allow for the expensive, deep, and often complex wheel cutting that characterised the Regency Style.
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.
Design & Designing
The unparalleled design of this decanter is so sophisticated that it has often been attributed to a London glass specialist such as John Blades, who we know employed architects as designers. The superb, lustrous lead glass itself, however, and the dramatic deep swirling cutting, are certainly attributable to Warrington. In terms of European cut glass, the Prince of Wales service must rank as one of the most astoundingly successful blends of material, design, and faultless technique.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Cut and engraved glass |
| Brief description | G G |
| Physical description | Decanter with the arms of the Prince of Wales |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved with the Prince of Wales's crest and motto |
| Gallery label |
|
| Object history | Made In Warrington, Lancashire, by Perrin, Geddes & Co. |
| Summary | Object Type From the 1760s, the wine bottle began to disappear from smart dining tables in favour of elegant, blown decanters with matching sets of glasses. After about 1800 these became heavier to allow for the expensive, deep, and often complex wheel cutting that characterised the Regency Style. 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. Design & Designing The unparalleled design of this decanter is so sophisticated that it has often been attributed to a London glass specialist such as John Blades, who we know employed architects as designers. The superb, lustrous lead glass itself, however, and the dramatic deep swirling cutting, are certainly attributable to Warrington. In terms of European cut glass, the Prince of Wales service must rank as one of the most astoundingly successful blends of material, design, and faultless technique. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.56&A-1976 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
