Topic: glass decanter / jug age help please

[stew2u2]

tried to age this decanter myself any help  would be greatful. i think it might by victorian about 1880 ish. stands about 18cm high
think it might be a water jug as it wouldnt hold much wine or spirit. i think the crest on the front might be an Earl or a Barrons crest. it has a ground pontil. could it be from a household and not the main glass used think it would be more decorated if used by an earl.
im probably totally wrong
thanks
stew

[Paul S.]

In view of handle I'd suggest technically not a decanter (although you can get decanters with handles)  -  there doesn't appear to be any evidence of abrasion that occurs within the neck where a stopper would sit, so most likely a water jug or wine carafe.     I think this style of crest is called 'demi-rampant' - this one looks a little like a griffin, possibly? - something similar, but with lions, forms the mark for Greener and Davidson pressed glass.          This one is wheel engraved and looks as though it's rising from a coronet maybe - looks good quality, and quite adequate for nobility     I'm not sure about who is entitled to wear what - is it a Baronet that may wear a coronet?
It may well be c. 1880 - difficult to say looking only at the screen  -  you don't give any indication of wear, which of often a good indicator.
Either side of the main frosted band, and the central crest, there is a continuous chain of wheel engraved small ovals - a style of decoration which goes back to the late C18, but am sure was also used during the Regency and early Victorian periods - so much was copied - and the handle looks more late Victorian than earlier.          No motto either, so no help there, but would look good on the table and might impress guests  

[Frank]

Neither coronet or griffin are particularly English. More French/Spanish. Fairly well executed so the crest should be traceable... Note tail, fore-claws, beak etc. On coronet decoration close to the that for Marquess or Marquis in Spanish/Italian style.

[oldglassman]

Hi ,
   This form of coronet is frequently found on continental European wheel engraved glasses  from Holland ,Germany, Bohemia and Scandinavia , many can be seen in the Rijksmuseum catalogues, yes Paul another publication for you but a wonderful 2 volume set, unfortunately pretty costly.

cheers,
               Peter

[Paul S.]

since I now try to restrict my collecting to British only, I think I can sleep at night Peter even if I don't have the Rijksmuseum catalogues - only the one book this week, so far, that I didn't have and need.
This looks quality wheel engraving, of which I'm a big fan, so perhaps I too would  have succumbed and bought this piece. 

[Frank]

Intriguing I eliminated all of those countries except Scandinavia on the coronet Peter, but eliminated Scandinavia on the griffin... sounds like useful books though.

[oldglassman]

  " since I now try to restrict my collecting to British only, I think I can sleep at night Peter even if I don't have the Rijksmuseum catalogues "

  They are crammed full of wonderful British glasses too !!

cheers,
              Peter.

[stew2u2]

Thanks everyone for looking and for all the info
 i have been trying to find the crest all day i have found it on a few web sites but they say it is unidentified.http://armorial.library.utoronto.ca/stamps/ZZZ113_s1
photos of the base (what i should have done in the first place being a regular visitor) has quite a few age marks on the base
one thing i have noticed is the handle looks hollow whether that matters for ageing it. is it true that the ground base makes this made after 1800

[flying free]

I can't help with your decanter but the base doesn't look like a 'ground base' to me.  It looks as though it has a polished pontil mark?
m

[stew2u2]

I can't help with your decanter but the base doesn't look like a 'ground base' to me.  It looks as though it has a polished pontil mark?
m

  thanks for looking. i dont really know what the difference as my glass experience is limited. i thought the pontil was ground down leaving a concave dip in the glass like people say with whitefriars glass to my untrained eye i dont know the difference, and can that change the date of a piece.
thanks
stew