1,734  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 0 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
LATEST STOCK
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1120199
SOLD
Email Phone
Save
19th Century Engraved Footed Tumbler C1850 - "A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush'
Sold by Exhibit Antiques
sold SA1120199
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Exhibit Antiques

Exhibit Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2019
Browse dealers 145 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass
Id #SA1120199
PDF SHARE
SAVE

19th Century Engraved Footed Tumbler C1850 - "A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush'

19th century
Sold 4 February 2025 · Exhibit Antiques
This “19th Century Engraved Footed Tumbler C1850 - "A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush'” found a buyer.

It was listed by Exhibit Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Technical Description

A superb mid-19th century engraved footed tumbler. A heavy conical bowl engraved around the rim with 'A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH'. The glass also features engravings depicting birds and bird catchers in a forest surrounding. Solid section to the base above a circular foot which has a large polished pontil.

A very unusual example and the first of its kind we have seen.

Date & Origin

England or Europe, c1850. Period of Victoria

Condition

Excellent, age-related wear as shown. No chips cracks or restoration

Dimensions

Height: 10.5cm

Bowl Diameter: 8.7cm

Foot diameter: 5.9cm.

Physical Dimensions
Height
10.5cm (4.13")
Declaration

Exhibit Antiques has dated this Antique Engraved Glass Tumbler to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1120199
Dealers Internal Reference
2024111302
Description
Technical Description

A superb mid-19th century engraved footed tumbler. A heavy conical bowl engraved around the rim with 'A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH'. The glass also features engravings depicting birds and bird catchers in a forest surrounding. Solid section to the base above a circular foot which has a large polished pontil.

fig 1. A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.
fig 1. 19th Century Engraved Footed Tumbler C1850 - "A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush'

A very unusual example and the first of its kind we have seen.

Date & Origin

England or Europe, c1850. Period of Victoria

Condition

Excellent, age-related wear as shown. No chips cracks or restoration

Dimensions

Height: 10.5cm

Bowl Diameter: 8.7cm

Foot diameter: 5.9cm.

Height
10.5cm (4.13")
Date of Manufacture

Exhibit Antiques has dated this Antique Engraved Glass Tumbler to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1120199
Dealers Internal Ref
2024111302
Exhibit Antiques
Exhibit Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2019

Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Exhibit Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 8
Archive I A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

19th Century Engraved Footed Tumbler C1850 - "A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush'

Archive II A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View II
Archive III A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View III
Archive IV A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View IV
Archive V A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View V
Archive VI A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View VI
Archive VII A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View VII
Archive VIII A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01501 228 282
Location
Glasgow
Scotland
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2019
Items For Sale 145
Items Sold 2,193
Exhibit Antiques
Exhibit Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2019
For Sale
145
Sold
2,193
A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.
19th Century Engraved Footed Tumbler c1850 - "A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH'
Ref: SA1120199
A clear, footed glass tumbler featuring wheel-engraved figures and the inscription A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDrinkware
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialFlint Glass
  • ColourClear
  • MotifsWheel engraving, Footed base, Inscribed lettering, Figural scene
  • SizeH 10.5 cm (4 in)

Displaying the piece within a glass-fronted cabinet or on an open shelving unit allows the etched details to catch the light, integrating historic texture into modern minimalist spaces.

Historic glass should be washed exclusively by hand using lukewarm water and mild detergent, avoiding sudden temperature changes and harsh abrasives to protect the delicate engraved surfaces.

Authentic pieces often display irregular surface wear on the base, tiny bubbles within the glass matrix, hand-cut facet lines, and subtle variations in engraving depth indicative of manual craftsmanship.

These items were typically made from lead crystal or flint glass, often blown into a mould or free-blown before being hand-finished with a footed base and decorated using abrasive cutting wheels.

Nineteenth-century glass engraving saw significant advancements in techniques such as wheel-engraving and acid-etching, allowing artisans to produce detailed pictorial scenes, lettering, and commemorative inscriptions on drinking vessels.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories