Decanter (one of a pair) 1785 - 1799

This decanter was made at the Cork Glass Company in Ireland, using the technique of glass blowing. It is a relatively simple process, involving the inflation of molten glass into a bubble, or parison, with the aid of a blowpipe. Notice the subtle lines etched into the surface, which would have been made with a rotating copper wheel. This delicate decoration gives a sense of how the object would have been used. The decanter served as a vessel for wine in well-to-do households. As glassmaking in the 18th and 19th centuries was a highly specialized form of labour, objects like this one offer a glimpse into the rituals of the upper classes. Though seemingly transparent, the decanter is infused with social meaning. It prompts us to look beyond its surface, and consider the world of production and consumption in which it was made.