Hunting Glass
Hunting glass encompasses the portable flasks, engraved vessels and decorative plates that trace field sports across Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods.
Hunting Glass
Hunting glass most frequently appears on this page as pocket-sized spirit flasks housed in leather cases, alongside decorative plates and glass table items. These objects emerge from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, spanning Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods.
The selection includes glass bottles fitted with sterling silver or silver-plated caps, often accompanied by matching cups or beakers designed for outdoor use. Alongside portable campaign pieces, the category extends to table lamps, vases and wall decorations bearing etched or enamelled animal motifs.
How they were made
Makers combined blown or moulded glass bodies with protective outer elements such as stitched leather, crocodile skin, and heavy brass or sterling silver mounts. Glass was frequently worked using cutting, sandblasting or engraving techniques to depict field scenes.
Surface decoration relied on hand painting, enamelling, and sepia staining applied to the glass or incorporated into reverse silhouette paintings. Metal components received hammered finishes or detailed hallmarks indicating London and provincial silversmiths.
Hunting Glass Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for hunting 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.
Deer antlers find new purpose as structural framework, supporting both writing desks and chandeliers designed for country interiors.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the integrity of the original pairing between the glass vessel and its fitted case or metal mount. Finer examples retain their original matching leather cases, collapsible cups and undamaged sterling silver tops bearing legible hallmarks.
The artistic execution of the hunting scene dictates distinction, separating simple moulded decoration from finely hand-painted enamels, deep glass cuttings or detailed sandblasted wall panels.
James Dixon & Sons·Asprey London·René Lalique·W A Ellwick Ltd
The Hunting Glass Glossary
- Hip flask
- A curved container designed for carrying spirits, typically constructed from glass with a metal cap and often enclosed in a leather case for field use.
- Sepia stain
- A brownish pigment applied to moulded glass, utilised by makers such as René Lalique to create depth and shadow within decorative plate reliefs.
- Campaign spirit set
- A portable assemblage of glass flasks and beakers packed securely into a dedicated leather or wooden box for travel and outdoor pursuits.
- Reverse silhouette painting
- An image painted on the back of a glass panel so that the correct view is observed through the clear front surface.
- Air twist
- A decorative swirl of tiny air bubbles trapped inside the stem of a glass, produced during the manufacturing process.
Hunting Glass: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hunting glass flask?
A hunting glass flask is a portable spirit container made from thick glass, often protected by a leather sleeve and fitted with a captive silver top for field use.
These pieces were shaped to slide easily into a riding coat pocket or attach to a saddle during equestrian pursuits.
How do I date a silver mounted flask?
Dating relies heavily upon the metal hallmarks stamped onto the silver caps, which indicate the assay office, standard and specific year of production.
Stylistic cues in the leather stitching and the cut of the glass provide supporting evidence for pieces spanning the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Were these flasks meant for daily use?
They were originally manufactured for active outdoor pursuits, specifically riding, shooting and field sports where a portable drink was required.
The robust combination of thick glass, leather housing and solid metal mounts ensured they could withstand the rigours of travel.
How should I display decorative hunting glass?
Decorative plates, vases and wall panels benefit from stable placement away from direct sunlight, allowing etched or enamelled motifs to catch ambient light.
Flasks and spirit sets display well either upright in cabinets or resting beside their original fitted leather cases.