Dark Brown Glass Flagon / Decanter with Silver Plated Mounts & Ring-Pull Stopper

Dark brown glass flagon or decanter of squat rounded form.
Fitted with silver plated neck mount and pouring lip.
Separate cork stopper with decorated silver plated cap and large ring pull.
Relief decoration includes stylised foliage and grape-like clusters.
Likely late 19th to early 20th century.

Approximate dimensions

Estimated capacity: approximately 450–500 ml (about ¾–⅞ pint)

The capacity is necessarily approximate. Treating the body broadly as a flattened rounded vessel gives an external volume of around 615 ml; allowing for the notably thick glass and the internal shape gives a likely usable capacity in the region of 450–500 ml.

Condition

The silver plated mounts have areas of tarnish and surface marking and may be polished if preferred. The cork stopper is dry and cracked, with deterioration and losses to its lower surface. The glass has scattered surface scratches, including around the underside.

Description

A dark reddish-brown glass flagon or decanter with a broad, squat rounded body, short neck and small integral-style loop handle positioned high on one side. The glass is sufficiently dark to appear almost black in thicker areas, with reddish-brown translucency where light passes through it.

The neck is fitted with a silver plated cylindrical mount decorated with linear and foliate detail. Above this is a broad shaped pouring flange which projects to one side to form a shallow spout around the circular bottle opening.

The removable stopper has a substantial tapered cork fitted to a metal stem. Above the cork is a domed silver plated cap decorated in relief with stylised leaves and grape-like clusters. A large articulated oval ring is attached above the cap to provide a finger grip for withdrawing the stopper. The ring carries a repeating incised border.

The underside of the glass body has a broad circular recess with a central raised feature. No maker's name or other identifying inscription has been established.

The combination of dark glass, squat flagon form, silver plated mounts and ornate ring-pull stopper is consistent with a late Victorian to Edwardian drinking or serving vessel, broadly circa 1880–1920. It was most likely intended for wine, spirits or another alcoholic drink.

Object Type: Flagon / Decanter
Type: Wine / Spirit Decanter
Age: 1900–1940
Time Period Manufactured: 1900–1919
Material: Glass
Metal: Silver Plated
Colour: Dark Brown
Features: Handle
Set Includes: Stopper
Theme: Grapes & Foliage
Style: Late Victorian / Edwardian

Dark Brown Glass Flagon Silver Plated Mounts Ring Stopper c1900 Decanter