for sale €328 $356

£280

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Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

Name: Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1244049
Price: 280 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Exhibit Antiques

Description

Description

An exceptional pair of late 18th-century glass dram tumblers, produced in England circa 1790. Of tapered bucket form, they feature applied blue glass trailing to the rims and retain rough snapped pontils to the bases.

These examples sit firmly within the tumbler category of dram glasses—forms typically associated with more informal drinking settings and valued for their durability and practicality. While generally plain, tumblers occasionally incorporate subtle decorative elements, as seen here.

Blue rims are an uncommon feature in 18th-century glass, more frequently encountered on bonnet glasses, punch cups, port wine glasses, and jugs. Their presence on dram tumblers is unusual and highlights the occasional crossover between utilitarian forms and more decorative treatments.

To emphasise their intimate scale, we have included a small group of dram tumblers alongside a standard-sized example, clearly illustrating the true nature of the “wee dram.”

Each glass is rare in its own right; to find a surviving pair is particularly remarkable.

Collectors Note

A museum reference number has been applied in enamel to the base of one glass. Such markings are typically retained, as they may indicate prior inclusion in a recognised collection and add to the piece’s historical context.

The enamel application does not harm the glass. While we would recommend its retention, it may be safely removed using acetone if desired.

Date & Origin

England, c1790. Period of King George III.

Condition

Excellent, No chips, cracks or restoration.

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 to 6.6 cm

Rim diameter: 5.7 to 5.8 cm

Foot diameter: 4.3 to 4.4 cm

Date of Manufacture

Exhibit Antiques has dated these Antique Blue Rimmed Dram Glasses to the Georgian era.

Independent Date Check ID 09708343

Dealer's Item DateGeorgian era

Sellingantiques DateGeorgian era

Sellingantiques agingItem 205-250 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE GEORGIAN ERA:

Rough snapped pontil scar on the base: hand-blown before polished pontils became standard.

Cobalt blue trail applied to the rim: hand-tooled decoration of the late Georgian era.

Grey tone and heavy lead metal: early glasshouse composition.

Faint wear ring around the base rim: long use and standing on hard surfaces.

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

SA1244049

Dealers Internal Reference

LX2026020903

Description

An exceptional pair of late 18th-century glass dram tumblers, produced in England circa 1790.

“

Of tapered bucket form, they feature applied blue glass trailing to the rims and retain rough snapped pontils to the bases.

Exhibit Antiques

fig 1. A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. — fig 1. Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

These examples sit firmly within the tumbler category of dram glasses—forms typically associated with more informal drinking settings and valued for their durability and practicality. While generally plain, tumblers occasionally incorporate subtle decorative elements, as seen here.

fig 2. A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. — fig 2. Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

Blue rims are an uncommon feature in 18th-century glass, more frequently encountered on bonnet glasses, punch cups, port wine glasses, and jugs. Their presence on dram tumblers is unusual and highlights the occasional crossover between utilitarian forms and more decorative treatments.

fig 3. A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. — fig 3. Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

To emphasise their intimate scale, we have included a small group of dram tumblers alongside a standard-sized example, clearly illustrating the true nature of the “wee dram.”

Each glass is rare in its own right; to find a surviving pair is particularly remarkable.

fig 4. A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. — fig 4. Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

Collectors Note

A museum reference number has been applied in enamel to the base of one glass. Such markings are typically retained, as they may indicate prior inclusion in a recognised collection and add to the piece’s historical context.

fig 5. A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. — fig 5. Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

The enamel application does not harm the glass. While we would recommend its retention, it may be safely removed using acetone if desired.

Date & Origin

England, c1790. Period of King George III.

Condition

Excellent, No chips, cracks or restoration.

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 to 6.6 cm

Rim diameter: 5.7 to 5.8 cm

Foot diameter: 4.3 to 4.4 cm

Date of Manufacture

Exhibit Antiques has dated these Antique Blue Rimmed Dram Glasses to the Georgian era.

Independent Date Report ID 09708343

Dealer's Item DateGeorgian era

Sellingantiques datingGeorgian era

Sellingantiques agingItem 205-250 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the Georgian era:

Rough snapped pontil scar on the base: hand-blown before polished pontils became standard.

Cobalt blue trail applied to the rim: hand-tooled decoration of the late Georgian era.

Grey tone and heavy lead metal: early glasshouse composition.

Faint wear ring around the base rim: long use and standing on hard surfaces.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1244049

Dealers Internal Ref

LX2026020903

About the Dealer

Exhibit Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2019

Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass

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A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases.

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Archive I

Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

Archive II

A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. View II

Archive III

A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. View III

Archive IV

A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. View IV

Archive V

A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. View V

Archive VI

A pair of hand-blown clear glass whisky dram tumblers featuring applied cobalt blue glass rims and thick flat bases. View VI

Dram glasses were popular in 18th-century Britain for serving small measures of spirits such as whisky or gin. Typically compact with a sturdy base, these vessels were frequently used in taverns and private homes throughout the Georgian period.

These tumblers were individually hand-blown using clear soda or lead glass. Craftspeople applied a molten thread of cobalt blue glass along the rim before annealing the finished piece.

Authentic Georgian glassware usually exhibits slight irregularities in shape, subtle air bubbles within the matrix, and a pontil mark on the underside of the base. Applied coloured rim decorations were fused during the hot-working process rather than painted on later.

Small antique spirit glasses make ideal accents when arranged on a timber sideboard, vintage bar cart, or framed within a glazed display cabinet. Their compact scale allows them to fit seamlessly into layered tabletop vignettes alongside other period glass.

Hand wash antique glassware individually in lukewarm water using a mild liquid detergent and a soft cloth. Avoid dishwasher usage, extreme temperature changes, and abrasive cleaners that could scratch or stress delicate hand-blown glass.

Exhibit Antiques

Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

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Exhibit Antiques

Rare Pair of 18th Century Blue Rimmed Whisky Dram Glass Tumblers C1790

Exhibit Antiques

Email Exhibit Antiques

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The Sustainable Choice

Cataloguer’s note

FAQs

What is the history of Georgian dram glasses?

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