Faceted Stem Wine Glass
A faceted stem wine glass carries the light of the Georgian parlour in its cut angles.
Faceted Stem Wine Glass
A faceted stem wine glass is a drinking vessel defined by its geometric, cut stem, appearing most frequently in English forms from the eighteenth century. These pieces span standard wine glasses, cordials, port glasses, and larger rummers, anchored by wide foot bases and decorated bowls.
The selection ranges from early Georgian examples with simple facet cutting to nineteenth-century Bohemian and Victorian coloured glassware. English eighteenth-century specimens dominate, often featuring detailed engraving upon the bowl alongside the distinct stem work.
Materials and construction
These glasses are formed primarily from lead crystal, clear glass, and lead glass, utilising heavy metal content to achieve clarity and brilliance. The stems are shaped through precise cutting and polishing to create multiple flat planes that catch the light.
Surface decoration frequently includes wheel engraving and delicate gilding applied by skilled hands. The bowls are joined to the cut stems and wide foot bases, forming sturdy drinking vessels designed for daily service or formal dining.
Faceted Stem Wine Glass Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for faceted stem wine glass among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Some glasses bear hidden political sympathies etched into the glass, offering quiet rebellion with every sip of wine.
Judgement of quality
The calibre of a piece rests upon the crispness of the facet cutting along the stem and the proportion of the bowl to the foot. Sharp, clean angles indicate skilled hand-cutting, whereas soft or rounded edges suggest hurried workmanship.
The clarity of the lead crystal and the finesse of any bowl engraving dictate the upper tiers of the range. Original matching sets and unusual decorative motifs, such as specific historical symbols, elevate individual pieces above standard production.
Moser Bohemian·James Giles
The Faceted Stem Wine Glass Glossary
- Facet cut
- A surface worked into multiple flat planes by a wheel to reflect light. This technique defines the stems of these glasses and adds structural grip.
- Lead crystal
- Glass containing metal oxides that increase weight, brilliance, and workability. It provides the heavy, resonant body typical of eighteenth-century drinking vessels.
- Rummer
- A large, wide-bowled drinking glass used for wine or punch. These forms appear in nineteenth-century production alongside smaller wine and cordial glasses.
- Pontil mark
- A rough scar on the base of a glass where the holding rod was snapped off. Its presence or absence of smoothing indicates the period of manufacture.
Faceted Stem Wine Glass: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean an old faceted stem wine glass?
Wash these pieces gently by hand in warm water using a mild detergent, supporting the bowl and stem carefully. Avoid sudden temperature changes to protect the old lead glass from thermal shock.
Dry them immediately with a lint-free cloth to maintain the brilliance of the cut crystal facets and any surface gilding.
Were these glasses used for everyday drinking?
Georgian and Regency households utilised these vessels for serving wines, cordials, and port during dining and social gatherings. The heavy lead glass was durable enough for regular table service.
Over time, changing fashions relegated many surviving examples to display cabinets rather than active daily use.
How can I tell an eighteenth-century glass from a later piece?
Examine the weight, the tone of the metal, and the formation of the foot and stem. Eighteenth-century English examples typically show specific facet cuts and proportions distinct from Victorian or twentieth-century revivals.
Tool marks and the finish of the pontil area on the base also provide clues to the manufacturing date and workshop practices.
What is the difference between a wine glass and a cordial glass?
Cordial glasses feature smaller bowls designed for potent liqueurs and spirits, whereas wine glasses offer larger capacities suited to table wines. Both share the characteristic faceted stem found in this group.
Proportion remains the main identifier, with cordial glasses sitting lower and tighter in the bowl structure compared to their wine-bearing counterparts.