Page 33 - April 2024

ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

To Decant, Use These

hen talking about antique glass The Ongoing Modernization of Canter still used today in the
collectibles, one category that Design and Beauty creation of modern
Wshouldn’t be ignored is the decanter By the 16th Century, the city of Venice, decorative decanters,
category. Decanters have existed for several Italy, was well known for its glass production. but some important
centuries. As a result, there are many different That expert glassmaking led to the creation changes have been
types to collect. Let’s take a peek at the inter- of a new type of decanter less likely to cause made to improve
esting origins of these unique vessels, their liquid contamination or deterioration, as the functionality of
purposes, and the different styles produced many older decanters had. Soon, Britain, decanters, as well as
over the years. France, and other parts of Europe were seeing public safety.
an increase in wine decanting again thanks to One of the biggest
What is a Decanter and How Does it the more polished changes made for 18th Century Irish
Differ from a Carafe? finish created by safety was in the Masonic Glass Decanters
A decanter is a container typically made those Venetian arti- selection of materials
from crystal or glass and generally used to sans. Next came used. Many antique crystal decanters contain
hold liquid. That liquid is usually wine or an explosion of trace amounts of lead. Lead has since been
some other type of alcoholic beverage. Most European decanter determined to be a potentially hazardous
decanters have wide bases and narrow necks. production from the material. When such antique decanters are
They are quite similar to carafes, but the 1500s through the used, some of the lead can make its way into
difference is decanters are usually sealed with 1800s. It was around the liquid over time, potentially causing wine
corks or stoppers of some kind. Carafes can the 1800s that more drinkers to become ill. That is why antique
hold many types of liquids ranging from wine decanters began to lead crystal decanters are best collected for
to coffee. However, they aren’t designed to take on bottle-like display purposes only, not for actual use.
store those liquids. They are only used for shapes, as opposed
serving purposes. Decanters are useful as both 1800 to 1830 U.S. Mold to the jug-like shapes Other Considerations When Collecting
practical long-term storage containers and Blown Decanter of the past. Antique Glass Decanters
decorative display pieces. The 1800s was also a period when changes There are two primary reasons to collect
in technology made it possible to develop antique glass or crystal decanters. The first is
The Early and Modern Histories more elaborate decanter designs that were to actually use them for decanting wine or
of Decanters showy and interesting, rather than simply spirits. When selecting one for that purpose,
The term “decant” means to separate or useful. From that point onward, decanter look for a wide design with a skinny neck. A
draw off liquid without designs were heavily influenced by the wide base helps the wine aerate. Also, make
disturbing the sediment or, changing fashions of each era and geographic sure the stopper is original to the decanter and
to pour a liquid from location. Many decanters can be at least works properly. Both the vessel itself and the
one vessel into another. somewhat dated based on both the materials/ stopper should not be chipped or cracked.
Decanters of various methods used to create them and their general The second reason to collect antique
types have existed for styles. Shapes can also be at least partial glass decanters is because many of them have
many centuries. In indicators of general age because decanter beautiful shapes and designs. They display
many ancient societies, shapes changed so much over time. wonderfully in cabinets and on shelves. When
wine was stored in collecting purely for display purposes, you can
extremely large clay Types of Antique Decanters and Why use an entirely different set of standards.
vessels. As a result, it Some Are Dangerous Simply look for shapes, patterns, or colors you
needed to be decanted Most antique decanters that were devel- enjoy. You may also opt to collect decanters
into smaller vessels for oped in the Venice era of decanter production from a particular geographic location or era.
practical reasons before it were made using either glass or some type of Regardless, the only considerations you need
Ancient Clay could be served to indi- crystal. Crystal simply means strengthened to worry about are your own personal prefer-
Israelite Wine viduals. Medieval glass. It was strengthened by the addition of ences, your budget, and the
Decanter
Europeans used glass ves- certain minerals. Common minerals used in general conditions of the
sels for decanting, but the vessels were glass production at the time included silica, pieces you are considering
not shaped as they are today. Instead, they potassium carbonate, purchasing. Often, more
were more bowl-shaped and often decorated and lead oxide. Once unusual antique decanter
with fingerprints. Thus, they were dubbed the decanters were shapes are preferable when
“finger bowls.” made or during the collecting for display, even
During the 5th Century, Europe entered production process if they would be
the Dark Ages, and wine decanting declined. they were also often completely impractical
Yet in the Middle Ages, decanters could decorated. Some when used for actual
still be seen in royal courts. They were not were etched. Others modern decanting.
like decanters as we know them now. The were painted. Some
transition into modern decanting took much were even inlaid with 18th Century Hand Blown
longer. It finally began to take place in Italy Etched Glass gems or metals. Decanter Blue
around the 15th Century. Decanters 1800s Similar practices are

Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance researcher and writer since 2001. She developed a passion for 1980s pre-1980s TV and films as a kid, and she has never grown out of it. Recently, she turned that
passion into a retro TV and film blog. Follow along with her at https://medium.com/@jkos_writing, as she dives deep into the characters, actors, quirks, and trivia that brought us some of the greatest
films and shows in TV history and also discusses some of the more obscure films and shows most of us may have forgotten.

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