Rare 18th century Engraved Ratafia Glass c1760

Technical Description

An exceptionally rare example of an 18th-century Ratafia Glass dating to c1760.

It has a narrow flute bowl engraved with fruiting vine around the rim with rib molding below. Sits on a single series opaque twist stem consisting of a pair of spiral tapes. Conical folded foot.

Comments

Ratafia glasses have a similar form to ales or champagne flutes, however, to be a ratafia, the bowl has to be very narrow and almost vertical, sometimes flaring towards the rim. This particular example is probably the rarest we have seen. Approx 1 -100 opaque twists have folded feet, a single series has an approx ratio of 1 -10 to a double series and on top of that you have engraving and rib moulding...on an 8.5-inch glass...an overall combination that is truly exceptional.

Date & Origin

England, c1760. Period of George II.

Condition

Excellent, no chips cracks or restoration

Dimensions

Height: 21.5cm , Rim diameter: 4.5cm,  Foot diameter: 7.5cm

Comments

This glass comes from the Michael Wallis collection which took over 45 years to build and contains over 250 drinking glasses, covering all forms from the 18th century, many exceptionally rare. They will all be presented by Exhibit over the coming weeks and months.