What are bell bowl wine glasses?

These are drinking vessels featuring a distinctive flared bowl shape that tapers toward the base. They were primarily produced during the 18th and 19th centuries. The form is closely associated with English lead glass tablewares, particularly those featuring decorative stems such as air twists and opaque twists.

How were these glasses used?

They served as functional dining and tavern glassware for consuming wine during formal meals and social gatherings. Their proportions were designed for moderate pours typical of the period. Over time, these utilitarian drinking vessels transitioned from dining tables into collector cabinets and display collections.

How do I live with antique wine glasses?

Living with these glasses involves displaying them in stable cabinets away from direct vibration and handling them carefully by the stem rather than the bowl. Hand washing in lukewarm water with mild soap preserves the historical surface. Avoid extreme temperature changes, as historic lead glass can crack under thermal shock.

How do I tell periods apart?

Georgian examples often display characteristics like pontil marks, lead weight, and specific stem configurations such as balusters or multi-spiral twists. Victorian pieces, such as mid-19th-century Scottish items, show different manufacturing tolerances and material handling. Examining the metal composition and the method used to form the stem helps clarify the date of manufacture.