Glass at Sworders

At Sworders, we are proud to share some recent sale highlights, that illustrate that this market is still buoyant. Date markers can be seen throughout the century with the Excise Tax, change in forms and politically fuelled decoration all defining certain decades of the century.

Beilby enamelled glasses are some of the most sought after amongst the 18th century glass collecting world. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, enamelled decoration typifies their output, an enamelled wine glass offered in our most recent September Fine Interiors sale achieved £12,350.

^{A Beilby polychrome enamelled wine glass, Sold for £12,350}

The story of the Jacobites can be told through the engraved iconography seen on glasses from the period. Owned by those who wanted to affirm their allegiance to the House of Stuart. One such example was recently sold in our September sale, featuring the typical rose bud motifs at £975.

^{A Jacobite wine glass, Sold for £975}

While air twist and opaque twist glasses can be seen with some frequency, the colour twist is a much more elusive glass. With Continental examples and reproductions muddying the waters, the period English example offered in our June Fine Interiors sale achieved an impressive £3,120.

^{A colour twist wine glass, Sold for £3,120}

^{Left to Right: A large Sunderland glass rummer- Sold for £1,040, A façon de Venise drinking glass - Sold for £4,680, An engraved glass rummer- Sold for £715}

 ^{A suite of 'Massena' crystal glasses by Baccarat, Sold for £5,200}

Born in Stourbridge, the glass capital of the world in the late 19th century, Alex Froggatt specialises in glass from the 17th century to contemporary studio works. A keen collector and passionate researcher, if you have any glass related questions get in touch with Alex.

alexfroggatt@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778