Were these pieces used daily or displayed?

Many items served practical functions at the dining table, including wine glasses, decanters, and preserve bowls. Sets of wine glasses and carafes saw active service during nineteenth century meals. Other objects like epergnes, bells, and decorative vases remained purely ornamental. They acted as centrepieces or mantel displays in Victorian and Edwardian homes.

How can I tell Victorian from Edwardian pieces?

Victorian examples typically date from eighteen fifty to nineteen hundred, displaying robust hand-blown forms and heavy engraved decoration. Mary Gregory vases and multi-horn epergnes sit firmly in this era. Edwardian items generally date after nineteen hundred, often combining cranberry glass with silver-plated mounts for preserve jars and twin bowls.

What is cranberry over crystal?

This construction involves fusing a layer of cranberry glass over a core of clear crystal. Artisans then cut away portions of the outer layer to expose the clear glass underneath. This method creates strong geometric or floral contrasts on decanters, carafes, and champagne coupes.