Decanter

CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Decanter
Datec. 1730–1740
Made inEngland
MediumLead glass
Dimensions8 3/4 × 3 3/4 × 3 3/4 in. (22.2 × 9.5 × 9.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by various donors in memory of Michael K. Brown
Object numberB.2015.9
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Pine Room
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

This so-called cruciform decanter was formed in an iron dip mold, into which the glassblower placed a gather of hot glass to blow the basic shape. After withdrawing the glass from the dip mold, the glassblower finished the remainder of the form with hand tools. The neck was lengthened and a string of glass was applied around the top to allow for a secure grip when pouring. Such decanters did not have stoppers, as servers would have filled them with wine from a barrel and brought them directly to the table.

Scholars differ on the purpose of the decanter’s form. Some have suggested that it was intended to provide faster cooling of the contents when the decanter was immersed in cold water; others believe it was purely decorative.

Archaeological fragments in the collection of the Charleston Museum in South Carolina demonstrate the presence of these decanters in colonial America.


ProvenanceEstate of Charles Dunn, Baltimore, Maryland; anonymous antiques dealer; purchased by [Ian Simmonds, Carlisle, Pennsylvania]; purchased by MFAH, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
[no signature]
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Pair of Decanters
c. 1830–1840
Lead glass
B.98.4.1,.2
Decanter and Stopper
c. 1825–1840
Lead glass
B.93.4.A,.B
Decanter
c. 1820
Lead glass
B.91.19.A,.B
Decanter
c. 1825–1840
Lead glass
B.2001.4.A,.B
Decanter
c. 1825–1840
Nonlead glass with gilding
B.2000.1.A,.B
Decanter
early 19th century
Glass
94.1128.1
Decanter
early 19th century
Glass
94.1128.2
Pitcher
Boston and Sandwich Glass Co.
c. 1825–1845
Lead glass
B.2003.5
Decanter
Oswald Haerdtl
c. 1925
Glass and gold lustre
96.1714.A,.B
Decanter
Harry Powell
1912
Glass and sterling silver
2017.117.A,.B
"Kremlin Bells" Decanter, Model 1500
Kaj Franck
Designed c. 1957, made 1962
Glass
97.109.A-.C
Pocket Bottle
c. 1820–1840
Lead glass
B.93.17