Crafting Clarity: British Glassware in the Age of Enlightenment

70 products

70 products
Pair of Charles X cut glass and gilt bronze vases with swan neck handles circa 1825 France – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases, circa 1825, ormolu
Pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Pair of opaline glass vases with hand-painted irises and narcissi, lit as elegant table lamps – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Opaline Glass Vases as Table Lamps, circa 1850, photographed from another angle
Pair of Opaline Glass Vases as Table Lamps
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors, glass, photographed from another angle
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm, circa 1750, Rococo, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm, circa 1750, Rococo, glass
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm
Pair of elegant blue glass facet cut decanters with gold floral design showcasing refined craftsmanship
Alternative view of the pair Of Blue Glass Facet Cut Decanters, photographed from another angle
Pair Of Blue Glass Facet Cut Decanters
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors, 19th-century, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors, 19th-century, glass
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors
Silver centrepiece by T. Bradbury & Sons, circa 1880, crystal, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Silver centrepiece by T. Bradbury & Sons
Seven mid century Bohemian coloured glass vases with intricate faceting, showcasing timeless artistry and design
Alternative view of the Seven Mid Century Bohemian Coloured Glass Vases, circa 1962, cut glass, by Pavel Hlava
Seven Mid Century Bohemian Coloured Glass Vases
An antique cut glass pendant light with ornate silvered metal hardware, hanging against a neutral gray background
Alternative view of the F. & C. Osler Cut-Glass Acorn Lantern, circa 1910, crystal
F. & C. Osler Cut-Glass Acorn Lantern, circa 1910
Pair of Lead Crystal Large Antique Cut Glass Hurricane Shades, circa 1980, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Lead Crystal Large Antique Cut Glass Hurricane Shades
Early 20th Century Venetian blue border glass mirror, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Early 20th Century Venetian blue border glass mirror, photographed from another angle
Early 20th Century Venetian blue border glass mirror
Large blown glass bubble door stop with internal bubbles, mid-century decorative object – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Large blown glass bubble door stop, circa 1950, photographed from another angle
Large blown glass bubble door stop
Val St Lambert Cased Ruby Over Uranium Glass Vase ‘Palacio’, circa 1930, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Val St Lambert Cased Ruby Over Uranium Glass Vase ‘Palacio’, circa 1930
Val St Lambert Cased Ruby Over Uranium Glass Vase ‘Palacio’
A Pair Of Silver Mounted 19Th C Bottles, circa 1900, Victorian, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Pair Of Silver Mounted 19Th C Bottles, circa 1900, Victorian, glass
A Pair Of Silver Mounted 19Th C Bottles
An agate glass sweetmeat dish, 20th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the agate glass sweetmeat dish, 20th-century, photographed from another angle
An agate glass sweetmeat dish
Val St Lambert Hand Blown Pink over Clear Cut Art Deco Glass Vase, circa 1920, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Val St Lambert Hand Blown Pink over Clear Cut Art Deco Glass Vase, circa 1920
Val St Lambert Hand Blown Pink over Clear Cut Art Deco Glass Vase
Bohemian Gilt Beakers, circa 1780, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Bohemian Gilt Beakers, circa 1780, glass, photographed from another angle
Bohemian Gilt Beakers
Pair of Mirrored Glass Hat Stands with Ruby Cut Glass Finials, circa 1900, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Mirrored Glass Hat Stands with Ruby Cut Glass Finials, circa 1900
Pair of Mirrored Glass Hat Stands with Ruby Cut Glass Finials
£POA
A 19th Century Indian Emerald Green Glass Vitrine, 20th-century, marble and brass – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the 19th Century Indian Emerald Green Glass Vitrine, 20th-century, marble and brass
A 19th Century Indian Emerald Green Glass Vitrine
£POA
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Baccarat Cut Glass Column Lamp, Early 19th Century, circa 1820, gilt bronze, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Baccarat Cut Glass Column Lamp | Early 19th Century
£POA
A mid century gilt bronze and glass pendant glass lantern, circa 1930, Mid-Century – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the mid century gilt bronze and glass pendant glass lantern, circa 1930, Mid-Century
A mid century gilt bronze and glass pendant glass lantern
£POA
Pair of elegant opaline glass vases with floral motifs and gold detailing, 19th-century French design
Alternative view of the pair of Opaline Glass Vases and Covers, photographed from another angle
Pair of Opaline Glass Vases and Covers
£POA
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Kristal Krocodil collection Loetz crackle glass Jugs, circa 1905, Art Deco, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Kristal Krocodil collection Loetz crackle glass Jugs, circa 1905, Art Deco
Kristal Krocodil collection Loetz crackle glass Jugs
£POA
Neo-Classical faceted glass vase with gilded ormolu mounts, circa 1800 Northern Europe or Russia – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Neo-Classical Ormolu mounted Faceted Glass Vase, circa 1800
Neo-Classical Ormolu mounted Faceted Glass Vase
£POA
Lalique Head Up Swan, glass and crystal, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Lalique Head Up Swan
£POA
Set of 6 Bombay Art Deco Round Mirrors, 20th-century, rosewood and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the set of 6 Bombay Art Deco Round Mirrors, 20th-century, rosewood and glass
Set of 6 Bombay Art Deco Round Mirrors
£POA
Substantial oval giltwood mirror, 19th-century, Victorian, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Substantial oval giltwood mirror, 19th-century, Victorian, glass
Substantial oval giltwood mirror
£POA
19th Century Giltwood Overmantel Mirror, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the 19th Century Giltwood Overmantel Mirror, glass, photographed from another angle
19th Century Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
£POA
Overmantel Mirror from Embley Park, 19th-century, giltwood and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Overmantel Mirror from Embley Park, 19th-century, giltwood and glass
Overmantel Mirror from Embley Park
£POA
18th Century Carton Pierre Gilt Wall Mirror, George III, giltwood and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the 18th Century Carton Pierre Gilt Wall Mirror, George III, giltwood and glass
18th Century Carton Pierre Gilt Wall Mirror
£POA

During the 18th century, glassmaking in Britain experienced significant developments and innovations. One significant development during the 18th century was the invention of lead crystal by George Ravenscroft. Lead crystal, also known as flint glass, was a type of glass that contained a high percentage of lead oxide, which gave it a brilliant sparkle and a distinctive "ring" when tapped. Ravenscroft's lead crystal was highly prized for its clarity and brilliance, and it became a popular choice for luxury glassware, such as drinking glasses, decanters, and chandeliers.

Another notable style of glassware during this period was "façon de Venise," which refers to glassware made in the Venetian style. Venetian glass was highly regarded for its vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and skilled craftsmanship. British glassmakers sought to emulate this style by adopting Venetian techniques and designs.

Float glass was also used in mirror production during the 18th century. Thomas Sheraton and Denis Diderot, prominent furniture designers and writers of the time, documented the use of glass in mirrors in their works. Mirrors were considered luxury items, and the use of large sheets of glass in mirror production allowed for more elaborate mirrors to be made, which were highly valued for their decorative and functional purposes.

In addition to Venetian-style glass and lead crystal, British glassmakers during the 18th century also produced a wide range of other glassware, including drinking glasses, vases, bowls, and decorative objects. Glassware was often embellished with intricate engravings, cuttings, and decorative elements, reflecting the prevailing design aesthetics of the time, which included rococo, neoclassical, and chinoiserie styles.

The 18th century was a period of great creativity and innovation in British glassmaking, with glassware being highly valued for its beauty, functionality, and status symbol. Georgian glass, as it is commonly known, continues to be highly collectible and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of 18th-century decorative arts today.
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