Description: One of a set of ten wine glasses with funnel-shaped bowls on double-knopped, air twist stems on flat feet. By the early eighteenth century, the unique optical effects of lead glass were well known by English glassmakers. Air twist stemmed wineglasses were called "worm'd shanks" in the period. During the 18th century it was the custom to hold the wineglass by the foot while drinking from them. The material was cold gray in color, heavy in weight, and brilliant when cut. These characteristics made glass especially desirable for lighting devices, for example, when illuminated, transparent candlesticks reflect and refract available light in the room.
Link to share this object record: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+63.199J |