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.
Jeff Sims Antiques
Delightful Small Victorian Etched Glass Carafe
£ 85
Jeff Sims Antiques
Edwardian Silver Mounted Whisky Tot
£ 175
Jeff Sims Antiques
Attractive Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 125
Andrew Cox Antiques
Superb Bristol Green Mid Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 225
Warner & Watts Antiques
Scottish Style Thistle Decanter Stopper
£ 45
Jeff Sims Antiques
Fabulous Victorian Silver Mounted Triform Decanter
£ 235
Patrick Howard Antiques
Pair Mid Century Full Lead Crystal Sterling Silver Spirits Wine Decanters, 1966
£ 475
Pair Mid Century Full Lead Crystal Sterling Silver Spirits Wine Decanters, 1966
£ 475
Patrick Howard Antiques
£ 695
Antique Galleried Ships Decanter, English Cut Glass, Spirit Vessel - Edwardian
£ 695
London Fine Ltd
£ 675
Jeff Sims Antiques
Handsome Large Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 135
Robert Belcher Antiques
A 19th Century Bohemian Glass Claret Jug Circa 1890
£ 1,295
£ 595
Antique Whiskey Decanter, English, Glass, Scotch, Barware, Victorian c.1900
£ 595
London Fine Ltd
Fox & Hare Antiques & Interiors
Superb Edwardian Decanter & Glass Set - Enamelled Floral Decoration- c.1900
£ 65
Superb Edwardian Decanter & Glass Set - Enamelled Floral Decoration- c.1900
£ 65
Fox & Hare Antiques & Interiors
William Rand Antiques
Rene Lalique Chinon Decanter
£ 270
Elmgarden Antiques
Vintage Novelty Ceramic Trompe-l’Oeil Cave de Liqueur
£ 600
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Rare 19th Century White Quilt Moulded Nailsea Glass Flask C1830
£ 160
Rare 19th Century White Quilt Moulded Nailsea Glass Flask C1830
£ 160
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Superb Vintage Art Deco Style Glass Cocktail / Spirit Decanter
£ 49
Superb Vintage Art Deco Style Glass Cocktail / Spirit Decanter
£ 49
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Vintage Silvered & Enamelled Sailing Ship Glass Decanter c.1950
£ 95
Vintage Silvered & Enamelled Sailing Ship Glass Decanter c.1950
£ 95
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Vintage Peach Pink Crackle Glass Spirit Decanter with Enamelled Flowers c.1950
£ 140
Vintage Peach Pink Crackle Glass Spirit Decanter with Enamelled Flowers c.1950
£ 140
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Aeology at Relic Antiques
Set of 5 Glass Restaurant Decanters with Handpainted Labels From France
£ 895
Set of 5 Glass Restaurant Decanters with Handpainted Labels From France
£ 895
Aeology at Relic Antiques
Stalham Antique Gallery
Excellent Pair of Cameo Glass Decanters
£ 650
Stalham Antique Gallery
Pair of Very Pretty Bohemian Ruby Cameo Glass Decanters
£ 620
Stalham Antique Gallery
Wonderful Glass Decanter
£ 240
London City Antiques
Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Cut Glass Decanters
£ 575
Aeology at Relic Antiques
Set of 3 Vintage Hotel Decanters From France
£ 395
Aeology at Relic Antiques
Collection of Vintage French Bar Decanters
£ 340
£ 795
Antique Spirit Decanter, Edwardian, Cut Glass, Hallmarked Silver - English 1903
£ 795
London Fine Ltd
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Art Deco Harlequin Glass Cocktail Decanter & Shaker 1930-1960
£ 249
Art Deco Harlequin Glass Cocktail Decanter & Shaker 1930-1960
£ 249
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Art Deco Glass Cocktail Decanter & Shaker 1930-1960
£ 169
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Vintage Yellow Amber Crackle Glass Spirit Decanter with Enamelled Flowers c.1950
£ 140
Vintage Yellow Amber Crackle Glass Spirit Decanter with Enamelled Flowers c.1950
£ 140
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
19th Century Nailsea Glass Flask with Red & White Trailing c.1830
£ 115
19th Century Nailsea Glass Flask with Red & White Trailing c.1830
£ 115
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
19th Century Nailsea Glass Flask with White Trailing c.1830
£ 95
19th Century Nailsea Glass Flask with White Trailing c.1830
£ 95
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Antique 19th Century Amethyst Glass Serving Bottle or Decanter c.1860
£ 130
Antique 19th Century Amethyst Glass Serving Bottle or Decanter c.1860
£ 130
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
19th Century Brown Glass Mell Personal Decanter C1830
£ 130
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Tall 19th Century Green Glass Serving Decanter c.1850
£ 150
The Lakes Emporium
Fine Pair of Bohemian Red Glass Decanters
£ 185
Booth Antiques
Fabulous Pair of Art Deco Silver & Cut Glass Whisky Tots
£ 475
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
19th Century Engraved Magnum Glass Decanter c.1850
£ 440
London City Antiques
Pair of Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Decanters
£ 495
Farm and Fancy
Art Nouveau Glass & Pewter Claret Jug
£ 160