(2) Waterford Style Crystal Decanters. Unmarked. 

Cut glass decanter with quality cross hatch decoration and ball stopper. 

Cut glass decanter with diamond design, wedge cuts, and cut stopper. 

Size: 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 10 in.

#2396 . 

The use of glass and crystal for decanters can be traced back at least to the Ancient Roman Empire, although current knowledge comes strictly from written records rather than any surviving items. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD glass became much more difficult to source, and as a result decanters were more frequently crafted from bronze, silver, gold, or earthenware. During the Renaissance the Venetian city-state rose to international eminence due to their glassworks, and glass decanters were reintroduced to Europe. The slender neck and wide body became the prevalent style. The British glassmaker George Ravenscroft, who introduced Venetian glass and lace to London in the 1670s, helped to increase the use of crystalline glass, also known as lead crystal, during this time. By the 18th Century the decanter was a household fixture, particularly in Britain, and around 1730 the problem of air exposure was solved by the development of the stopper. By the end of the century the decanter shape evolved as straight-sided and engraved labels indicating the contents became more popular. Decanters come in a variety of shapes depending on its primary function. Wine decanters are often wider at the base to allow for aeration, and may be taller or slimmer depending on serving purposes. Whilst wine decanters are usually open, spirits decanters predominantly have a stopper, and are often characterized by thicker glass to keep the beverage cooler. Advances in medical knowledge in the late 19th and early 20th Century led to a significant drop in crystal decanter use, as it was discovered that lead from the glass leached into the contents continuously, often poisoning the drinker or causing physical and mental aberrations. Modern decanters regularly come with packaging that indicates they are lead-free, as the whisky boom of the 2010s led to a revived interest in bar ware and drinking culture.

Commersurate with age.