What is the difference between a carafe and a decanter?

In principle the decanter has a stopper and holds wine or spirits, while the carafe is open-mouthed and serves water or single measures. In these listings the two words are used interchangeably, sometimes within the same title. Dealers call small unstoppered wine and water bottles carafes, and also apply the word to stoppered pieces.

How old are most pieces in this category?

The dated field runs from 1750 to 1930, with Victorian the single commonest period word and 19th Century close behind. Late Georgian and Regency material through to Edwardian is well represented. Circa dates cluster around 1830, 1860, 1870 and 1880, and a handful of pieces reach the 1920s and 30s.

Yes. One title in five describes a pair, which makes matched sets a defining habit rather than an occasional find. Beyond pairs, the archive holds a trio of cut decanters and full services of a decanter with six or four matching glasses.

What colours turn up in antique glass carafes?

Bristol blue and Bristol green appear most often, alongside amethyst, cranberry, ruby overlay, amber, cobalt and opaline. Coloured bodies sit in the upper half of the range, while plain clear Victorian carafes anchor the bottom.

Which makers are associated with these?

No maker runs through this category. The named glasshouses and designers that do appear in titles are one-off entries rather than a pattern. Where a source is named it tends to sit near the top of the sampled range, but the great bulk of the category is unattributed British table glass.

Do any unusual forms come up?

They do. The archive records a decanter modelled as a dog, a wrought-iron mounted wine carafe dispenser and a magnum sugarloaf beer decanter. Also recorded: a shoulder carafe with five Lynn rings, a bedside water carafe with its own tumbler, and enamelled whisky decanters advertising Glasgow and Aberdeen blends. About 31 pieces come to market in a typical year on Sellingantiques, listed by 65 different dealers over time.