Decanters

About

Antique Decanters: Crystal, Cut Glass and Silver-Mounted Bottles for Collectors Antique decanters bring elegance, utility and craftsmanship to the art of serving and display. Designed for wine, spirits, oil, vinegar, sauces and other table uses, fine decanters and cruet bottles reflect centuries of glassmaking, silverwork and formal entertaining. For collectors searching for antique decanters, crystal decanters, glass decanters, cut glass decanters, sterling silver decanters or antique cruet bottles, these pieces offer beauty with a clear functional purpose. M.S. Rau’s decanter collection includes examples selected for material quality, condition, design, rarity and maker. From American Brilliant Period cut glass to etched glass, silver-mounted bottles, cruets and works by noted firms such as T. G. Hawkes & Co., each piece represents a refined category within antiques , glass , art glass and silver antiques . The History of Decanters and Cruet Bottles Decanters developed alongside the rituals of dining, drinking and hospitality. As glassmaking advanced in Europe and America, decanters became important table objects for serving wine, brandy, whiskey and other spirits. Their forms were designed to improve presentation, separate sediment, identify contents and enhance the experience of pouring at the table. Cruet bottles served a related purpose. Smaller than many wine and spirits decanters, cruets were commonly used for oil, vinegar, condiments and sauces. In formal dining settings, a set of cruet bottles could be placed in a stand or arranged with other tablewares. Fine cruets often featured cut glass bodies, etched decoration, silver mounts, stoppers and fitted forms made for both beauty and practicality. Crystal Decanters and Glass Decanters Crystal decanters are admired for their clarity, weight and brilliance. A well-made crystal decanter should feel balanced in the hand, with a stopper that fits properly and a body that catches light through its cutting or p