Glass Information and Education

Glass in the 18th Century 1 2 3

During the early 1700s the classic baroque stem and bowl shapes which had been popular in the last few decades of the previous century continued to be the mainstay of the industry. Their decoration was mainly diamond-point and shallow wheel-engraving. Forms included stemmed wine-glasses, flutes, goblets, beakers, nests of tumblers, salts and cruets, executed in pinkish grey cristallo clarified with liberal additions of manganese. Though lacking somewhat perhaps in craftsmanship and origionality, these pieces, which were thin, light and cheap, had an elegant simplicity of form and remained on vogue for several decades. They are well represented in the collection of King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway, which was purchased in Venice during the monarch's visit to the city in 1709 and is now at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen.

Glass Information from The History of Glass by Dan Klein and Ward LLoyd