Red Glass Wine Decanter and Goblets

[WTMammoth]

Hello all,
I have come across this wine decanter and set of 4 matching goblets.  I know little about it and was looking for some help.  Check out the picture, I have more pictures as well as detailed ones as well.

Thanks

[mart]

I have never seen one like that !!  Are there any markings on the metal portion, or anywhere for that matter ?? Could we get closeups ?? Looks Victorian !!

[WTMammoth]

Yes I will get some more closeups and detailed pictures of the complete set.  We were still going through boxes and I was only able to take some quick pictures at the time.  It has been packed away in an attic since my great grandfather passed away.  He recieved it from a wealthy collector who was moving.  My great grandfather did a lot of work for the family and chose the set as a gift from them.  The story goes that it once belonged to Napoleon.  I can't verify that but it may give some insight into the timeline of it.  The set has been a family story for some time, this was the first time I've ever seen it.  I will get more pictures posted, again thanks for any help!

[mariok54]

Certainly an interesting piece. Looks very high Victorian, but the one thing that bothers me is the stopper. I would have thought that it would either have had a hinged lid, or at least the metal of the stopper would have followed the curve of the glass. Not sure what that suggests   Just thinking out aloud

[mart]

That stopper would be correct for wine,  would it not

[mariok54]

That stopper would be correct for wine,  would it not

Yes, it would, but it is the way the metal on the stopper doesn't follow the form of the metal on the neck that seems odd. A lot of work must have gone into the making and a bit more thought would have tidied that up.

[wendy177]

Beautiful Piece and to have 4 matching pieces to the set is wonderful. Styling looks to be along the lines of this one. http://www.claretjugs.com/screen/1012.html   But yours looks to be made in possibly pewter??

[mart]

Mmmm,,, I see what you mean !!   Perhaps the cork was a later addition ??  It does seem to be out of place with the style of the claret jug !!

[Oceans64]

My original thought was regarding the cork as well.  Actually it was a question.  Would it be in such good condition after X amount of years and would it be stained (which it may be since we can't see it). 

What happens to cork after 50+ years? 

[mariok54]

What happens to cork after 50+ years? 

It goes to cork heaven   

[cogar]

What happens to cork after 50+ years?

It sometimes gets a "corkscrew" treatment.

When Lorenzo said he had some special bottles that no one was brave enough to open, I was mystified. I was introduced to Attorney Charles Lewis, who brought the bottles to the event; they were among several found under a set of stairs in the house of his wife Bonnie's late aunt, on Francisco Street in San Francisco's Marina District. The wine had been bottled by Bonnie's grandfather, John Moscone, in 1909. He was a founder of the Sunset Scavenger Company. The wine was 100 years old and most likely had turned to vinegar, but then there was the rarest possibility it had not.

Finally a brave soul was cajoled into opening the bottles, which both showed significant sediment deposits. The first we tasted directly from the bottle; the second we filtered. The wine was outstanding. It had a clear golden to caramel color, had the aroma of a fine sherry and the taste and body of Madeira.  http://diningaround.com/profiles/blogs/lunch-with-lorenzo

[Oceans64]

Funny guys!!  A cork doesn't last a year in this house.  What happens after the trash has been picked up, I can't say 

I thought that you were supposed to store wine on it's side so the cork doesn't dry out and allow air in the bottle. Wouldn't this cork show signs of shrinkage?

[mariok54]

I thought that you were supposed to store wine on it's side so the cork doesn't dry out and allow air in the bottle. Wouldn't this cork show signs of shrinkage?

It looks more like it's been on steroids! 

[waywardangler]

Here's my take on the stopper...it could be for a separate wine bottle.  To cap it after it is opened but when you don't finish the whole bottle (rare). Although it looks like it fits this neck and compliments the set's finish, it may have been one that was added over the years because it fit. I think it is odd also that the original stopper would sit that high on that fancy pouring neck/lip. I would have expected the original stopper to follow the contour of the opening. The cherub on the stopper is similar to the cherubs on the metal work but not identical. That is why I think it was added later.

Oceans asked "What happens to cork after 50+ years?" Nothing, it just is cork. Cork has been used on fishing rod handles for well over 100 years and it is still cork. It might be worn and dirty but cleaned up it is good as new. It does not rot, crumble, or disintegrate. It might shrink a tad which is why wine should be stored so the cork stays wet and seals the neck as it was meant to.

[Oceans64]

Cork has been used on fishing rod handles for well over 100 years and it is still cork. It might be worn and dirty but cleaned up it is good as new. It does not rot, crumble, or disintegrate. It might shrink a tad which is why wine should be stored so the cork stays wet and seals the neck as it was meant to.

Ahhh...  Good point Wayward.