Crafting Clarity: British Glassware in the Age of Enlightenment

84 products

84 products
Early 19th Century British Regency Convex Mirror with giltwood frame, eagle crest, and candle arms, circa 1810.
Early 19th Century British Regency Convex Mirror
Collection CK40
Three-Light Silver Plate & Bubble Glass Candelabra
Collection NI10
Collection TH20 23-piece set of Art Deco WMF Myra iridescent glass bowls and vases with vibrant shimmer and elegant shapes
23 Art Deco WMF Myra iridescent glass bowls and vases by Collection TH20 with elegant vintage design details
23 Art Deco WMF Myra Iridescent Glass Bowls And Vases
Collection TH20
Dieppe Bone Mirror with intricate carved whale bone frame featuring cherubs, knights, and flags, circa 1830, oval beveled glass.
Dieppe Bone Mirror close-up showing intricate carved overlapping bone slices with shield and cherub details.
Dieppe Bone Mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A George III flame veneered mahogany wall mirror with gilt gesso frame and engraved coronet and star, circa 1770.
A George III flame veneered mahogany wall mirror with shaped fret cut frame and gilt gesso slip moulding.
A George III flame veneered mahogany wall mirror
Collection CK40
Pair of Charles X cut glass and gilt bronze vases with swan neck handles from Collection CK20 circa 1825 France
Close-up of Charles X crystal vase with ornate gilt bronze swan handle from Collection CK20
Pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Collection CK20
Pair of opaline glass vases with hand-painted irises and narcissi by Collection TH30, lit as elegant table lamps.
Pair of opaline glass vases with hand-painted irises and narcissi, now table lamps by Collection TH30 circa 1850.
Pair of Opaline Glass Vases as Table Lamps
Collection TH30
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors with beveled mercury plates, 19th-century English antique design.
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors with floral carved giltwood frame and beveled mercury plates, circa 1880 England.
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors
Collection CK40
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm with ornate floral and bird crest, Dutch Netherlands circa 1750.
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm with detailed floral crest and intricate giltwood carvings.
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of elegant blue glass facet cut decanters with gold floral design from Collection TH10 showcasing refined craftsmanship
Pair of blue glass facet cut decanters with gold floral detailing from Collection TH10 displayed on white background
Pair Of Blue Glass Facet Cut Decanters
Collection TH10
Large Bohemian Engraved Red Glass Table Lamp with brass triangular base and ruby faceted clear glass column.
Large Bohemian Engraved Red Glass Table Lamp with ornate cast brass base featuring vine and grape details.
Large Bohemian Engraved Red Glass Table Lamp
Collection EE20
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors with central dual candle arms, 19th century England.
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors with central dual candle arms, 19th century England.
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors
Collection CK40
Baccarat Harcourt Glass and Gilt Bronze Champagne Cooler
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Mirror Chandelier Wall Lights
Collection EE10
Silver centrepiece by T. Bradbury & Sons
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Seven mid century Bohemian coloured glass vases with intricate faceting by Collection TH20, showcasing timeless artistry and design.
Five elegant mid century Bohemian coloured glass vases with vibrant hues by Collection TH20
Seven Mid Century Bohemian Coloured Glass Vases
Collection TH20
Pair of Lead Crystal Large Antique Cut Glass Hurricane Shades
Collection CK10
Early 20th Century Venetian blue border glass mirror with a shaped bevelled plate and foliate details.
Early 20th Century Venetian blue border glass mirror with shaped bevelled plate and foliate details.
Early 20th Century Venetian blue border glass mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Elegant late 19th century French opaline blue vase by Collection EE20 with tall fluted neck and rounded base
Late 19th century French opaline blue vase from Collection EE20, measuring 42 cm tall with rounded shape and flared base.
French Opaline Blue Vase
Collection EE20
Val St Lambert cased ruby over uranium glass vase Palacio circa 1930 offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Val St Lambert ruby over uranium glass vase Palacio shown in daylight and glowing under UV by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Val St Lambert Cased Ruby Over Uranium Glass Vase ‘Palacio’
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Large blown glass bubble door stop with internal bubbles from Collection TH10, mid-century decorative object
Large blown glass bubble door stop with suspended bubbles from Collection TH10 in a minimalist style
Large blown glass bubble door stop
Collection TH10
A Pair of silver mounted 19th century decanters with red glass design from Collection TH10
A Pair of Silver Mounted 19th Century Bottles with Victorian design from Collection TH10 displayed with a clear glass pitcher
A Pair Of Silver Mounted 19Th C Bottles
Collection TH10
Early 20th century agate glass sweetmeat dish with ornate details from Collection TH10
Early 20th century agate glass sweetmeat dish with intricate details, decorative style by Collection TH10
An agate glass sweetmeat dish
Collection TH10
Val St Lambert hand blown pink over clear cut glass vase with original label offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Val St Lambert pink over clear cut Art Deco vase by Nicholas Wells Antiques with intricate geometric fluted design
Val St Lambert Hand Blown Pink over Clear Cut Art Deco Glass Vase
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Set of five 18th century Bohemian gilt beakers with floral garlands by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Set of five Bohemian gilt beakers with floral garlands by Nicholas Wells Antiques, circa 1780, clear faceted glass
Bohemian Gilt Beakers
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A 19th Century Indian Emerald Green Glass Vitrine
Collection EE40
£POA
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Baccarat Cut Glass Column Lamp | Early 19th Century
The Sold Archive
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Pair of Wedgwood Jasperware and Cut Glass Three Light Candelabra
Collection NI10
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Aesthetic Movement wrought iron mansion staircase lantern with intricate design by Collection NI10, early 20th century style
Aesthetic Movement Wrought Iron Mansion Staircase Lantern
Collection NI10
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A mid century gilt bronze and glass pendant glass lantern
Collection TH10
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Pair of elegant opaline glass vases with floral motifs and gold detailing from Collection TH10, 19th-century French design.
Pair of opaline glass vases with floral designs and covers from Collection TH10, showcasing elegant nineteenth-century French artistry.
Pair of Opaline Glass Vases and Covers
Collection TH10
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Pair of Loetz crackle glass jugs from Kristal Krocodil Collection TH10, Art Deco style serving pitchers
Pair of vintage Loetz crackle glass jugs with handles from Collection TH10 on dark background
Kristal Krocodil collection Loetz crackle glass Jugs
The Sold Archive
£POA
Pair of French 19th century opaline vases with hand-painted floral design by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1870
French 19th century opaline vase with floral design and gold trim from Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1870
Pair of French 19th Century Opaline Vases
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Neo-Classical faceted glass vase with gilded ormolu mounts from Collection CK20, circa 1800 Northern Europe or Russia
Close-up of Neo-Classical faceted glass vase with intricate ormolu goat head mount by Collection CK20
Neo-Classical Ormolu mounted Faceted Glass Vase
Collection CK20
£POA
French Napoleon III opaline glass vase with vibrant floral designs and gilt accents by Nicholas Wells Antiques
French Napoleon III opaline glass vase with floral design and gilt accents by Nicholas Wells Antiques
French Napoleon III Opaline Glass Vase by Baccarat
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Lalique Head Up Swan crystal sculpture from 1985, elegantly crafted with detailed wings and smooth neck.
Lalique Head Up Swan
Collection NE10
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Set of 6 Bombay Art Deco Round Mirrors with reeded faux rosewood frames, 100cm diameter, circa 1925 India.
Set of 6 Bombay Art Deco Round Mirrors with reeded faux rosewood frames and original mirror plates.
Set of 6 Bombay Art Deco Round Mirrors
Collection EE20
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Substantial oval giltwood mirror with ornate 19th-century English gold leaf frame, large decorative vintage wall mirror.
Substantial oval giltwood mirror with ornate gold leaf frame reflecting elegant vintage interior decor.
Substantial oval giltwood mirror
Collection CK40
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Fret-Cut George III Mahogany Veneered Mirror with Gilt Ho-Ho Bird, 1765, original hand bevelled Vauxhall plate.
Fret-Cut George III Mahogany Veneered Mirror with Gilt Ho-Ho Bird, original hand bevelled Vauxhall plate, circa 1765.
Fret-Cut George III Mahogany Veneered Mirror with Gilt Ho-Ho Bird
Collection PK10
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19th Century Venetian Blue Eglomise Wall Mirror with intricate blue and gold enamel detailing and ornate frame design.
19th Century Venetian Blue Eglomise Wall Mirror with intricate polychrome enamel detailing and ornate cut glass frame
19th Century Venetian Blue Eglomise Wall Mirror
The Sold Archive
£POA

During the 18th century, glassmaking in Britain experienced significant developments and innovations. One significant development during the 18th century was the invention of lead crystal by George Ravenscroft. Lead crystal, also known as flint glass, was a type of glass that contained a high percentage of lead oxide, which gave it a brilliant sparkle and a distinctive "ring" when tapped. Ravenscroft's lead crystal was highly prized for its clarity and brilliance, and it became a popular choice for luxury glassware, such as drinking glasses, decanters, and chandeliers.

Another notable style of glassware during this period was "façon de Venise," which refers to glassware made in the Venetian style. Venetian glass was highly regarded for its vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and skilled craftsmanship. British glassmakers sought to emulate this style by adopting Venetian techniques and designs.

Float glass was also used in mirror production during the 18th century. Thomas Sheraton and Denis Diderot, prominent furniture designers and writers of the time, documented the use of glass in mirrors in their works. Mirrors were considered luxury items, and the use of large sheets of glass in mirror production allowed for more elaborate mirrors to be made, which were highly valued for their decorative and functional purposes.

In addition to Venetian-style glass and lead crystal, British glassmakers during the 18th century also produced a wide range of other glassware, including drinking glasses, vases, bowls, and decorative objects. Glassware was often embellished with intricate engravings, cuttings, and decorative elements, reflecting the prevailing design aesthetics of the time, which included rococo, neoclassical, and chinoiserie styles.

The 18th century was a period of great creativity and innovation in British glassmaking, with glassware being highly valued for its beauty, functionality, and status symbol. Georgian glass, as it is commonly known, continues to be highly collectible and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of 18th-century decorative arts today.
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