Topic: 2 Cut Glass Claret Jugs No Stoppers

[mhgcgolfclub]

Found in a charity shop yesterday these 2 cut glass claret jugs, well I think claret jugs.

One shows clear signs of having had a stopper while the other not so. Question would they always come with a stopper.
Height 7.75"
Each one weighs over 1.5Kg
12 point star cut base.

They look very good quality and for £3.50 each was not leaving them behind stopper or no stopper.

Thanks for looking Roy

[Paul S.]

very nice Roy.             I'm not inclined to go with the claret suggestion (but know what you mean re the high handle and lip)  -  IMHO these are too bulbous and short/squat, so I'm going to suggest these are a pair of flasks or flagons - apparently from the French flacon  -  according to McConnell a design/shape popular c. late C18 to 1870.                  The general appearance with this bulbous body and shorter overall dimension fits well with the shape of yours, and they definitely had a stopper - made in several colours with brown and green most popular - plus clear.            Seems they originated in Germany (Bavaria), and in view of the style of handle fitment on these I'd suggest they were made toward the end of their popularity.              Are there any matching Nos. on the necks or wherever? - but I doubt you'll find any  -  and seems they were made in a variety of countries  -  Bohemia, U.K., States etc.             Body shape varies a little, but they have this short and stubby look mostly -  some with a longer necks than others.

I had a replacement stopper made recently by the Bristol Blue people - if you're neurotic about getting a replacement here you could give them a call  -  understandable of course but they need to have the bottle in their hands to be sure of getting the size of the stub correct. 

Of course I could be wrong completely  -  let's see what others think  -  anyway you might google flagon and see what you think. 

[mhgcgolfclub]

Just a quick thank you Paul will reply tomorrow.

Roy

[mhgcgolfclub]

Thanks Paul

I would agree with flagon or even flagon decanter as described by some people. When I asked Carol what date she thought she said 1870ish.

In are new charity shop they had this Bristol blue flagon for the last week with no takers until I decided to pay the asking price of £12.50. I think the missing top had put people off. I believe it only missing a cork stopper with pewter.

 Snapped pontil and nice applied handle and dates at around 1850.

Roy

[Paul S.]

nice coloured example - v.g. find - handle attached top down and looking at similar examples in McConnell, I'd go possibly a smidgen earlier than suggested by Carol - possibly 1845.    Agree, you're missing a cork type stopper which likely had a ball finial  -  since a lot of these bottles came from the Continent, then think we can't do more than say possibly English.                     I'd not realized the diversity of colours of these things - even uranium - and sometimes handles in a colour different to the body  -  I have one in cranberry  -  though as a type I don't see them that often for some reason.

The missing cork stopper might have had a pewter mount, but only IMHO if the metal on the neck is also pewter  -  otherwise perhaps simply a plated metal  -  are there any EPNS marks or better still Sterling hall marks.              By this date, Elkington's had already marketed their invention of silver plating, so worth looking on the neck.
Bearing in mind that we don't see these often, I doubt you'll find an odd stopper that will fit easily  -  though as it's cork then if you do find one that looks about right you could cut the cork to fit.

Sometimes I get tempted to 'do' decanters  -  but they take up space, and there's literally no end to them .............   .

Sounds like you're doing well with this new charity shop  -  I must get down to hmmm  er  ................    soon

[glassobsessed]

Cork can be trimmed/shaved but you need something with quite a sharp blade. I leave corks a little oversized and use sandpaper for the final shape and fit.

You can darken with a bit of wood stain to get an aged look, black coffee might work if nothing else is to hand, it colours pale wood nicely but I have not tried it on cork. Instant is fine, no need to waste the good stuff. 

John

[mhgcgolfclub]

Thanks very much for that John.

Roy