How do I display a glass scent bottle?

Glass scent bottles look effective placed on dressing tables, mantelpieces or within glass-fronted cabinets where light can pass through the material. Many nineteenth-century examples were originally housed in fitted wooden boxes lined with silk or velvet. Keeping them out of direct, prolonged sunlight helps protect any delicate pigments or historic box linings.

What is a glass dump?

A glass dump is a heavy, solid glass object produced as a decorative paperweight or doorstop, often incorporating decorative air bubbles or sulphide figures inside. Workers typically made them from leftover molten glass at the end of a working day. They display distinctive weight and tactile qualities that set them apart from hollow vessels.

How do I tell a Regency decanter from a Victorian one?

Regency decanters often feature geometric cut patterns, heavy target stoppers, and distinct ring collars around the neck reflecting neoclassical tastes. Victorian examples frequently embrace more eclectic styles, including colour over crystal techniques or engraved botanical motifs. Examining the pontil mark on the base and the depth of the glass cutting helps indicate the period of manufacture.