Antique glass decanters are the perfect balance of function and look. Although people have been using jugs to decant wine and spirit for thousands of years, when wine sellers began corking their bottles in the Middle Ages, they realised that it often created sediment at the bottom. Therefore, decanters were used to remove this sediment before serving, as well as to allow the wine or spirit to breath and to look more elegant on the dining table. Crystal has always been the preferred material and initially the glass was left clear or simply cut to allow any remaining sediment to be seen but coloured decanters were also available although far rarer now. Many glass decanters during the Georgian period in particular were even given their own wooden cases for storage.
While decanters dropped out of fashion for a short time, it is fair to say that with more home bars and people taking an interest in spirits that they are very much back in fashion now. Because they were intended to be used and are status symbols antique decanters tend to have a very elegant presence and enjoyable weight when held.
At LoveAntiques we have a fine selection of Antique and Vintage decanters for all your needs.
Windsor House Antiques
Attractive Pair of Early 19th Century Mallet Shaped Carafes
£ 130
Windsor House Antiques
Mid 19th Century Mallet Shaped Decanter
£ 60
Wessex House Antiques
Early Victorian Carafe c.1845
£ 85
£ 495
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
English Solid Silver & Glass Spirit Decanter, Mappin & Webb c.1929
£ 1795
English Solid Silver & Glass Spirit Decanter, Mappin & Webb c.1929
£ 1795
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
19thc Victorian Solid Silver & Glass "Champagne Bottle" Decanter c.1888
£ 695
19thc Victorian Solid Silver & Glass "Champagne Bottle" Decanter c.1888
£ 695
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
20th Century Italian Green Glass Drinking Set by Gucci
£ 595
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
20thc German Solid Silver & Etched Glass Claret Jug c.1900
£ 795
Offbeat Interiors
19th Century Decanter Box
£ 675
Offbeat Interiors
Victorian English Walnut Decanter Box
£ 1160
Mostly Boxes Antiques ltd
19th Century Sheffield Plater Decanter Stand
£ 275
Michael Young Antiques
Pair of Antique 18th Century Dutch Liquer Decanters & Glass
£ 485
Mostly Boxes Antiques ltd
19th Century Sheffield Plated Decanter Stand Complete with Four Matching Decanters
£ 260
19th Century Sheffield Plated Decanter Stand Complete with Four Matching Decanters
£ 260
Mostly Boxes Antiques ltd
£ 1275
Pair of Antique Decanters & Stands, English, Silver Plate, Edwardian c.1910
£ 1275
London Fine Ltd
London City Antiques
Pair of Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Decanters
£ 425
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Victorian Quality Cranberry Glass Decanter
£ 225
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Beautiful Victorian Enamelled Bristol Blue Glass Decanter c.1890
£ 155
Beautiful Victorian Enamelled Bristol Blue Glass Decanter c.1890
£ 155
Julie Cartwright Antiques
£ 300
Edwardian Silver Mounted Green Glass Glug Decanter, William Comyns London 1905
£ 300
Museum of Treasure
Sturmans Antiques Ltd
Superb Antique Three Bottle Tantalus & Games Compendium
£ 1695
Sunnyside Antiques
Pair of Victorian Globe Decanters
£ 165
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Pair of Silver Top Whiskey Noggins
£ 495
Sunnyside Antiques
Pair of Edwardian Cut Glass Decanters
£ 235
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Georgian Silver Lemon Label & Decanter
£ 600
Bridport Antiques
Richardson Crystal
£ 155
Bridport Antiques
Waterford Crystal Cut Glass Ship's Decanter
£ 145
Bridport Antiques
Master Cutters Claret Decanter
£ 485
Devon Vintage Interiors Limited
Victorian Spirit Dispenser by L Lumley & Co Ltd London
£ 390
Rowandale Antiques
Rosewood Campaign Decanter Box
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Victorian Quality Cut Glass Decanters & Original Silver Plated Stand
£ 545
Antique Victorian Quality Cut Glass Decanters & Original Silver Plated Stand
£ 545
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Rare Edwardian Silver Mounted Bohemian Glass Decanter by Latham & Morton, Birmingham 1902
£ 275
Rare Edwardian Silver Mounted Bohemian Glass Decanter by Latham & Morton, Birmingham 1902
£ 275
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Jo Brayshaw
Vintage Liqueur Set - 1940s
£ 75
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Bohemian Amethyst Overlay Glass Decanter c.1890
£ 175
Jo Brayshaw
Cranberry Decanter & Four Glasses c.1890
£ 120
Sheryl's Art Deco Ltd
Art Deco Decanter Set
£ 695
Those Were The Days
Nice Pair of French Wine Decanters
£ 98
IM Chaney Antique Furniture
Large Bohemian Cobalt Blue Glass Decanter
£ 65
Carse Antiques
Large Silver Topped Cut Glass Decanter
£ 175
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Glass Decanter
£ 245
Bridport Antiques
Barrel Shape Glass Decanter
£ 38
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Ships Decanter
£ 245