Drinking Glasses

About drinking glasses

Short history of drinking glasses

Venice was the centre of European glass-making in the mid-15th century, and it was not until after the Restoration that the first British glass was evolved by chemist George Ravenscroft. Initially, this "flint glass" was subject to "crisselling", the appearance of a network of tiny cracks, and a high proportion of lead oxide was added to prevent it. This lead is what gives English lead crystal its characteristic thick, liquid, "oily" look.

Stronger than the delicate Venetian "cristallo"

Stronger and heavier than the delicate Venetian "cristallo", its robust quality dictated the simpler shapes. Early glasses have V-shaped funnes and very short stems, in imitation of the Venetian, and the feet were "welted" or down-folded in a double thickness for extra strength. If turned upside down, a small, rough patch or "pontil" mark should be seen. This happened when the glass was transferred, still in its plastic state, from the glass-blower's iron to a shorter rod or pontil for fashioning. Glasses of the early 18th century were simple, influenced by contemporary silver; and bell and bucket bowls were much in evidence. Stems grew longer in proportion to the size of the bowl and foot and the "baluster", a sphere tapering at one end, combined with one or more balls or "knops", became the basis of many variations. In a practical way, they prevented the longer-stemmed glasses from slipping through the fingers when drinking.

The accession of George I in 1714 brought the "Silesian" stem into fashion. This tapers from flattish shoulders below the bowl and has a minimum of four flat cuts from top to base. Bowls began to flare outwards in waisted curves and as stems lengthened still more in proportion, the straighter ones carried "twists", bubbles of air drawn with the stem to form complicated webs of thin lines inside.

Tiny bowls on long, thick stems were used for cordials (liqueurs", while "drams" or small, squat glasses were used for tossing down fiery spirits. Some of these, known as "firing" glasses, were very thick at the foot and were rapped on the table at a gathering to signify applause. The sound was like musket fire - hence the name.

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