Silver Mounted Wine Carafe
A silver mounted wine carafe brings together heavy glass vessels and precious metal mounts for the dining table.
Silver Mounted Wine Carafe
A silver mounted wine carafe takes the form of claret jugs, decanters, and ewers intended for serving wine.
The pieces appearing here span the Victorian and Edwardian periods, stretching from the mid-nineteenth century into the twentieth century, alongside specific examples from 1960.
Makers utilised distinct regional styles including French Rococo Revival, Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic Movement, and Art Nouveau across these serving vessels.
Materials and construction
Craftsmen combined glass bodies, including cut glass, crystal, Nailsea glass, etched glass, cranberry glass, and blue glass, with mounts formed from sterling silver, silver gilt, and silver plate.
Metal collars, handles, and hinged covers were fitted securely to glass necks, often incorporating detailed cast elements such as serpent handles and Bacchus masks.
Silver Mounted Wine Carafe Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver mounted wine carafe 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.
Several carafes feature lurking serpent handles and Bacchus mask spouts ready to pour your claret.
Assessing the work
Quality rests upon the weight and clarity of the glass vessel, whether deeply cut, coloured, or etched, and the substance of the silver or silver-plated mount.
Refinement shows in the precision of the metal mounts, the balance of the handle against the body, and the harmony between glass and metal design.
Asprey and Co. Ltd·Elkington·Hukin and Heath·Archibald Knox for Liberty
The Silver Mounted Wine Carafe Glossary
- Claret jug
- A specialised pouring vessel designed specifically for serving red wine at the table, usually fitted with a hinged lid and a handle.
- Silver plate
- A base metal coated with a thin layer of silver, often utilised on nineteenth and twentieth-century serving vessels.
- Nailsea glass
- A type of nineteenth-century glassware known for distinctive looped or patterned coloured glass trails embedded within the body.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy containing a high proportion of pure silver by weight, used for the substantial mounts and collars on these pieces.
- Cymric
- A specific Arts and Crafts metalwork style produced by Liberty, frequently featuring interlaced Celtic motifs and cabochon stones.
Silver Mounted Wine Carafe: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver mounted wine carafe used for?
These vessels were designed to hold and serve wine at the dining table, combining a glass container for the liquid with a metal collar, handle, and pouring spout.
The hinged lid kept the contents covered between pours while allowing the server to lift the top with a thumbpiece during use.
How do I clean the glass safely?
Wash the glass body by hand in warm water using mild detergent, avoiding harsh abrasives that might scratch the surface or damage the metal mounts.
Keep silver polish away from the glass and dry the metal components promptly after washing to prevent spotting.
Are these pieces safe for holding wine today?
These historical vessels function adequately for serving wine provided the interior is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed before use.
Ensure no residue from old sediments or cleaning agents remains trapped near the silver collar or base of the handle.
How can I tell Victorian pieces from Edwardian ones?
Victorian examples often display heavier ornamentation such as floral engraving, etched glass, or French Rococo Revival and Aesthetic Movement styling.
Edwardian pieces tend to lean towards cleaner lines, simpler cut glass patterns, or distinct Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau designs.