Topic: Sherry Jug/Decanter, Georgian?

[RoyJ99]

My latest charity shop purchase is this jug/decanter which measures 16.5cm x 9.5cm. Broken pontil mark on base, lots of small bubbles and inclusions, plenty of wear on the inside of the neck where the stopper should be and on the base. The engraving appears to very crudely done in my opinion and not even sure what it is supposed to be. The jug has a fluted look however the fluting is actually on the inside as can be seen in the pictures. Glass has a noticeable yellow tinge to it. Looking for opinions on the origin and age of this, I would guess early 19th century.

Thanks

Roy

[Paul S.]

hello roy.

just personal opinions, but I wouldn't have thought for sherry - more likely claret or wine  -  and I'm going to disagree with your dating based on the handle which appears to be a bottom up attachment, rather than a top down variety - tell me if I'm wrong about that.      The former was the norm after about 1860 ish, so I'd suggest the date of this is much later than you're thinking.
From what you're saying this may well have been a blown-moulded piece, which creates the optically moulded effect, then transferred to a pontil rod to finish the rim/pouring lip, then finally the handle.       
These things can pick up a lot of wear quicker, perhaps, than other items - leading to the thought that it has greater age than it actually has.

I doubt that you'd find a maker.            The colour might suggest a Continental origin, but it could be from anywhere - I take it there isn't a matching No. around the neck area?      Bohemia perhaps.         

sorry not much help, but decanters can often be impossible to pin down.

[RoyJ99]

Hi Paul, thanks for the reply, can you explain to me what you mean by bottom up attachment and top down with regards to the handle. I'm not sure about being mould blown, it seems too uneven for a mould I would say, doesn't show in the photos but when examined it's not uniform as I would expect from a mould. The fluting effect carries all the way up the neck which again is not clear on the photos, however the ribs are on the outside of the neck. I only guessed at it being used for sherry due to the size.

Regards

Roy

[Lustrousstone]

It was initially blown in a mould to create the optic ribbing. The unevenness comes from the later shaping and blowing out. Paul means the handle was initially stuck on at the bottom and then pulled out, turned over and stuck on at the top. The earliest handles (top down) look more like water pump handles

[Antwerp1954]

I think it is a carafe rather than a decanter. Is it French?

[RoyJ99]

Thanks Lustrous, so with a bottom up the handle will be more bulbous and the base then folded over and flattened at the top yes? It could well be a carafe  Antwerp, items like this seem to be listed as decanter/jugs/carafes. As for the origin I have absolutely no idea, I am very new to antique glass.

[Paul S.]

I'd always assumed that a carafe had a wider neck opening than a decanter - also that it was only a decanter than used a stopper.            Could be wrong, but don't believe that carafes have pouring lips.

Regarding the two different handle shapes/attachment - either side of c. 1860  -  have a look at sites for antique glass, or go to museums, and you'll understand the difference.          Looking at, and handling glass, is often better than worded descriptions.
Do you have any books showing early C19 glass?

[RoyJ99]

I do but they tend to focus on drinking glasses, don't recall seeing anything about handles yet.

[Paul S.]

People often overlook the vast amount of information on the GMB search facility.              I know there was a good explanation of the two forms of handle attachment by Bernard, several years back, but I can't now find it to give you the link.               However, if you put suitably relevant words into the Board's 'search' you should get enough info coming up to help you understand the different methods.

Don't know which books you have, but would suggest that as a general guide on aspects of C19 glass - albeit from a British perspective - then Charles Hajdamach's volume 'British Glass 1800 - 1914' is essential.   Both sorts of handle are shown, even if there aren't massive amounts of words on the subject.

[RoyJ99]

Thanks Paul, I had not even thought about using the search facility and I'll order the book you recommended.

Thanks

Roy