Georgian Wine Glass Value Guide

This Georgian wine glass, dating from 1740-1780, represents the pinnacle of English lead crystal innovation following George Ravenscroft's late 17th-century advancements. Its distinctive double knop stem and flaring bowl served as a status symbol for the British gentry, showcasing the clarity and brilliance unique to 18th-century craftsmanship.

What Is Georgian Wine Glass Worth?

The typical price range for Georgian Wine Glass is $150 - $200 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of air-twist or opaque-twist patterns within the stem can significantly increase market value.
• Overall condition, specifically the absence of 'glass sickness' (cloudiness) or chips on the rim and foot.
• The clarity of the lead glass; higher brilliance and fewer inclusions typically command the $150-$200 price range.
• Provenance and historical documentation linking the piece to specific 18th-century English glasshouses.

How to Identify Georgian Wine Glass?

• Check for the characteristic weight and resonance of English lead crystal, which is heavier and more brilliant than soda-lime glass.
• Examine the stem for the specific double knop configuration, a hallmark of mid-18th-century English glassmaking.
• Look for a rough pontil mark on the base, indicating the glass was hand-blown and snapped from the rod.
• Verify the flaring bowl shape, which should transition smoothly into the stem without modern mold lines.

History of Georgian Wine Glass

Georgian era glassmaking, spanning roughly from 1714 to 1830, is renowned for its elegance and the introduction of lead crystal. English glassmakers, building on George Ravenscroft's innovations in the late 17th century, perfected lead glass, making it stronger, clearer, and more brilliant than earlier soda-lime glass. This allowed for intricate stem designs, such as the double knop seen here, and often featured air-twist or opaque-twist stems. These glasses were status symbols, reflecting the burgeoning wealth and refined tastes of the British gentry and were primarily used for wine, port, and other spirits.