Extraordinary 18th Century Plain Stem Ceremonial Toasting Glass C1790 - 40 Cm Tall

Name: Extraordinary 18th Century Plain Stem Ceremonial Toasting Glass C1790 - 40 Cm Tall
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1216735
Availability: SoldOut

18th century

Sold by Exhibit Antiques

Description

Description

An exceptional and extremely unusual late 18th-century ceremonial flute or toasting glass, standing an extraordinary 40 cm tall. It has a very tall conical bowl with gently tapering sides above a plain stem with an annulated shoulder collar and conical foot with a polished pontil.

The proportions are strikingly elongated, creating an elegant and highly architectural form unlike conventional drinking glasses of the period.

Although at first glance the glass could be mistaken for a vase due to its height, the overall construction and proportions strongly suggest it was conceived as part of the drinking or ceremonial table tradition rather than as decorative flowerware. The restrained foot, narrow bowl opening and tall stem all follow the vocabulary of late Georgian stemware, simply exaggerated to monumental scale. If you placed flowers in this, it would fall over and there are more than enough Vase forms to compare it with and it simply does not conform in any way. It you shurnk it down to half, it would clearly be a toasting glass form.

Its precise purpose remains uncertain. It may have functioned as a ceremonial toasting glass or a window display flute at a glass retailer, where visual impact was prioritised over practical use.

We have never seen another example. Dating is therefore based on the colour of the metal, which is typical of 2nd half 18th century, whats in the metal, such as small seeds and undisolved silica (typeical of manufatureing from that period), toolling and striations which are akin to late 18th century (not earlier or later).

If you wish to see more from the Dr Rigby Collection, comprising over 100 fine 18th-century wine glasses; please use the link below.

The Dr Rigby Collection of fine 18th century wine glasses

Date & Origin

England, c1790. Period of King George III.

Condition

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

Dimensions

Height: 39.8cm

Rim diameter: 6.6cm

Foot diameter: 10.6cm

Weight: 591 grams

Declaration

Exhibit Antiques has dated this piece to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1216735

Dealers Internal Reference

2026031778

Description

“

An exceptional and extremely unusual late 18th-century ceremonial flute or toasting glass, standing an extraordinary 40 cm tall.

Exhibit Antiques

It has a very tall conical bowl with gently tapering sides above a plain stem with an annulated shoulder collar and conical foot with a polished pontil.

fig 1. Extraordinary 18th Century Plain Stem Ceremonial Toasting Glass c1790 - 40 cm tall — fig 1. Extraordinary 18th Century Plain Stem Ceremonial Toasting Glass C1790 - 40 Cm Tall

The proportions are strikingly elongated, creating an elegant and highly architectural form unlike conventional drinking glasses of the period.

Although at first glance the glass could be mistaken for a vase due to its height, the overall construction and proportions strongly suggest it was conceived as part of the drinking or ceremonial table tradition rather than as decorative flowerware. The restrained foot, narrow bowl opening and tall stem all follow the vocabulary of late Georgian stemware, simply exaggerated to monumental scale. If you placed flowers in this, it would fall over and there are more than enough Vase forms to compare it with and it simply does not conform in any way. It you shurnk it down to half, it would clearly be a toasting glass form.

fig 2. Extraordinary 18th Century Plain Stem Ceremonial Toasting Glass c1790 - 40 cm tall — fig 2. Extraordinary 18th Century Plain Stem Ceremonial Toasting Glass C1790 - 40 Cm Tall

Its precise purpose remains uncertain. It may have functioned as a ceremonial toasting glass or a window display flute at a glass retailer, where visual impact was prioritised over practical use.

We have never seen another example. Dating is therefore based on the colour of the metal, which is typical of 2nd half 18th century, whats in the metal, such as small seeds and undisolved silica (typeical of manufatureing from that period), toolling and striations which are akin to late 18th century (not earlier or later).