11,524  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 54 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
54 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1244666
FOR SALE
£490
Email Phone
Save
Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches
For sale by Exhibit Antiques
for sale €573     $622
£490
Exhibit Antiques

Exhibit Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2019
Browse dealers 248 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass
Id #SA1244666
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches

18th century
For Sale by Exhibit Antiques
Description

Description

A tall and elegant 18th-century air twist ale glass, featuring a finely proportioned round funnel bowl, beautifully engraved with hop and barley in saltire. It stands on a double-knopped, multi-spiral air twist stem, raised on a conical foot. A very fine example.

Historical Context

Ale in the 18th century was often drunk from tall, narrow-bowled glasses because the form suited both the drink itself and the way it was consumed. The glasses were designed to preserve the liveliness of the drink and the narrow bowl helped retain the head while slowing the loss of carbonation.

The tall, slender shape also made it easier to drink in steady draughts rather than in large gulps. Unlike wide bowls, which encourage rapid drinking, the narrow profile regulates the flow, making for a more controlled and enjoyable experience. This was particularly useful in tavern settings where ale was consumed over time rather than all at once.

In addition, the height of the glass enhanced the visual appeal of the drink. The rising bubbles and clarity of the liquid could be appreciated more fully in a tall vessel, while the relatively small footprint made the glass stable and practical for crowded tables. Combined with a long stem to keep the drink cool, the overall design reflects a balance of function, presentation, and the drinking habits of the period.

Just as useful today as it was over 250 years ago.

Date & Origin

England, c1750. Period of King George II. Small seed near foot rim which is undisolved silica from manufacture and insignificant.

Condition

Excellent. No chips, cracks or restoration.

Dimensions

Height: 21 cm

Rim diameter: 6 cm

Foot diameter: 8.2 cm.

Date of Manufacture

Exhibit Antiques has dated this Air Twist Ale Glass to the Georgian era.

Independent Date Check ID 09712662
Dealer's Item DateGeorgian era
Sellingantiques DateGeorgian era
Sellingantiques agingItem 260-285 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE GEORGIAN ERA:
Rough snapped pontil scar on the underside: hand-blown manufacture before polished pontils.
Multi-spiral air twist stem with two knops: English glassmaker technique from around 1750.
Wheel-engraved hop and barley design: traditional decoration for Georgian tall ale glasses.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1244666
Dealers Internal Reference
2026012207
Description
Description
“
A tall and elegant 18th-century air twist ale glass, featuring a finely proportioned round funnel bowl, beautifully engraved with hop and barley in saltire.
Exhibit Antiques

It stands on a double-knopped, multi-spiral air twist stem, raised on a conical foot. A very fine example.

fig 1. A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
fig 1. Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches

Historical Context

Ale in the 18th century was often drunk from tall, narrow-bowled glasses because the form suited both the drink itself and the way it was consumed. The glasses were designed to preserve the liveliness of the drink and the narrow bowl helped retain the head while slowing the loss of carbonation.

fig 2. A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
fig 2. Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches

The tall, slender shape also made it easier to drink in steady draughts rather than in large gulps. Unlike wide bowls, which encourage rapid drinking, the narrow profile regulates the flow, making for a more controlled and enjoyable experience. This was particularly useful in tavern settings where ale was consumed over time rather than all at once.

fig 3. A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
fig 3. Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches

In addition, the height of the glass enhanced the visual appeal of the drink. The rising bubbles and clarity of the liquid could be appreciated more fully in a tall vessel, while the relatively small footprint made the glass stable and practical for crowded tables. Combined with a long stem to keep the drink cool, the overall design reflects a balance of function, presentation, and the drinking habits of the period.

fig 4. A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
fig 4. Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches

Just as useful today as it was over 250 years ago.

Date & Origin

England, c1750. Period of King George II. Small seed near foot rim which is undisolved silica from manufacture and insignificant.

Condition

Excellent. No chips, cracks or restoration.

Dimensions

Height: 21 cm

Rim diameter: 6 cm

Foot diameter: 8.2 cm.

Date of Manufacture

Exhibit Antiques has dated this Air Twist Ale Glass to the Georgian era.

Independent Date Report ID 09712662
Dealer's Item DateGeorgian era
Sellingantiques datingGeorgian era
Sellingantiques agingItem 260-285 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the Georgian era:
Rough snapped pontil scar on the underside: hand-blown manufacture before polished pontils.
Multi-spiral air twist stem with two knops: English glassmaker technique from around 1750.
Wheel-engraved hop and barley design: traditional decoration for Georgian tall ale glasses.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1244666
Dealers Internal Ref
2026012207
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 tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
1 / 8
Archive I A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.

Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass C1750 - Over 8 Inches

Archive II A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View II
Archive III A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View III
Archive IV A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View IV
Archive V A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View V
Archive VI A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View VI
Archive VII A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View VII
Archive VIII A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem. View VIII
FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01501 228 282
Location
Glasgow
Scotland
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2019
Items For Sale 248
Items Sold 2,199
Exhibit Antiques
Exhibit Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2019
For Sale
248
Sold
2,199
A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
Tall 18th Century Engraved Double Knop Air Twist Ale Glass c1750 - Over 8 inches
Ref: SA1244666
A tall 18th-century clear glass ale goblet featuring an engraved bowl with hops and barley motifs supported by a double knop air twist stem.
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
  • ObjectGlassware
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialClear Glass, Lead Glass
  • ColourClear
  • MotifsAir twist stem, Double knop, Engraved hops and barley, Conical foot

Air twist glassware refers to 18th-century stemware featuring decorative internal spirals created by drawing air bubbles through molten glass before twisting the stem. This technique gained prominence in Britain during the mid-18th century following the implementation of the Glass Excise Act of 1745.

Georgian air twist glasses were crafted from heavy lead glass, also known as flint glass, which provided high optical clarity and resonance. The engravings were executed by hand using copper wheel technique onto the blown glass bowl.

Authentic pieces feature a snapped or polished pontil mark on the underside of a conical foot, high lead content weight, and subtle hand-drawn irregularities in the air spiral. Bowls engraved with hops and barley specifically denote original ale glasses rather than wine or cordial glasses.

These historical stemware pieces are best displayed in illuminated glazed cabinets, on dark wood sideboards, or integrated into a library shelf setup where backlight can highlight the intricate internal stem details.

Clean historical lead glass by hand using lukewarm water and mild soap, avoiding dishwashers and extreme temperature changes that cause thermal shock. Dry immediately with a lint-free microfibre cloth to prevent water spots and preserve the glass surface.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories