Decanter
Dateca. 1765
Decorator
William and Mary Beilby
MediumLead glass, enamel
DimensionsOH: 11 3/16" (with stopper); H: 9 7/16" (without stopper); OD: 4 15/16"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1960-6,1A&B
DescriptionDecanter and stopper: Body A: shouldered mallet form; slightly flared rimmed lip, mouth ground inside; long cylindridal neck flaring slightly inward to pronounced shoulders; sides flare to large, polished slightly concave base, which curves inward from a 3/4" rim. Enamelled decoration: white enamelling starts below ground neck with acanthus scroll band 1" below lip; followed by butterfly; cartouche chain extends around base of neck; below cartouche which encloses "CLARET" are large bunch grapes and two large grape leaves on vine. Design extends to bottom 1/3 of decanter. Design on back consists of three flowers and large spiky leaves; smaller leaves extend from side, base and interior of large leaves. Stopper B: flat disk, edges diamond faceted on top, tear shape facets on sides, elongated ground plug. Stopper not originalInscription(s)Enameled "CLARET"ProvenanceSold at auction: Sotheby, London, January 15, 1960, lot #45 (illus.). Catalog description -"A set of six enamelled wine glasses and two decanters, by William Beilby of Newcastle, the decanters of shouldered type with faceted stoppers, decorated in white with rococo cartouches inscribed "CLARET" and "PORT" with fruiting vine branches below..."Purchased at the above auction by Tilley & Co. (London, England) for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, Virginia) where it remains to the present.
