Wineglass with Mercury Corkscrew Stem

Date1740 - 1750

Object NameWineglass

Mediumlead glass

ClassificationsApplied Art

DimensionsOverall: Height: 15.5 cm
Bowl At Rim: Diameter: 6.4 cm

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000924

Keywords

Drinking

About MeWineglass with a drawn trumpet bowl on a double mercury twist stem, supported on a conical foot.

It is in the Georgian period that probably one of the most intriguing forms of decoration emerged, the air twist stem. This came about as a result of the taxes imposed on glass, which was measured by weight. In the previous century avoiding heavy taxation was achieved through hollow stems or tears. In the Georgian period however when the wealthy were looking for something more extravagant to spend their money on the principal of the tear was extended.

From two to twelve of these tears were introduced into a squat cylinder of glass heated, drawn out and twisted to give a most attractive pattern of filaments of air just below the surface of the glass. Two tears can be used to produce a mercury twist so named because it reflects the light to give a delightful quicksilver effect.

Twelve evenly produced filaments are much more common, forming what is known as a multiple spiral air twist. Between these there are many variations depending on the number of tears and their proximity to one another.