Exhibit Antiques has dated this George III Glass Decanter to the Georgian era.
An exceptionally rare late 18th-century English cut and gilded glass decanter, dating to c1780 and engraved REVSALT, an English phonetic abbreviation of "Rivesaltes", the celebrated wine of Roussillon in southern France.
The stopper neck and body are deeply facet-cut with a complex arrangement of large interlocking stars, diamonds and geometric panels, creating a particularly brilliant and architectural appearance. Scattered throughout the cutting are finely asymmetrical gilded sprays of fern-like foliage, leaves and small flowerheads, the majority of the gilding surviving remarkably well within the protected recessed facets.
The quality and character of the gilding are consistent with work associated with the London atelier of James Giles. A similar (possibly the same) decanter engraved REVSALT, was sold at Christie's on 20th February 2013, lot 688.
Without doubt, one of the rarest decanters we have had in over 20 years.
Please see historical context below.
Date & Origin
England, c.1780. Period of King George III. Gilded in the atelier of James Giles.
Condition
Excellent. Clean and clear, with no chips, cracks or restoration.
Some wear to the gilding on the stopper and upper neck, consistent with handling and age. The remaining gilding is remarkably well preserved, particularly across the body, where it has been protected within the deep cutting.
Dimensions
Height including stopper: 24 cm
Diameter: 9 cm
Weight: 736 grams
Historical Context
REVSALT is a phonetic or abbreviated English rendering of Rivesaltes, a wine-producing town and district in Roussillon, close to Perpignan and the Spanish border.
Rivesaltes produced more than one style of wine. Its ordinary, strongly coloured wines were known to British and Irish wine merchants during the 18th century and were sometimes used to add colour, body and firmness to Bordeaux wines intended for the British market. Merchant correspondence dating to 1765 specifically records Rivesaltes wine being used in this way.
The wine most likely intended by this costly, individually commissioned decanter, however, was the superior sweet Muscat or vin de liqueur of Rivesaltes. Such wines were prized for their richness, perfume and keeping qualities. The modern Muscat de Rivesaltes tradition uses Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria, while the wider Rivesaltes region also produces wines from Grenache, Macabeu and other local grape varieties.
Despite being recognised by knowledgeable wine drinkers, Rivesaltes never appears to have occupied the same position in Britain as Port, Madeira, Lisbon or Frontignan. It may frequently have been described more generally as Muscat, Roussillon wine or vin de liqueur, while the ordinary red wine could disappear anonymously into blended claret. This may explain the extreme rarity of surviving decanters specifically inscribed REVSALT.
The commissioning of such an elaborate and expensive decanter suggests an affluent original owner with an unusually extensive and sophisticated cellar.
Exhibit Antiques has dated this George III Glass Decanter to the Georgian era.
Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Exhibit Antiques Profile Page
Rare George III Gilded Cut Glass “Revsalt” Decanter, C1780 - Atelier of James Giles
