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.
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Vintage Whitefriars Golden Amber Glass Decanter & Four Tumblers 1940-1950
£ 120
Vintage Whitefriars Golden Amber Glass Decanter & Four Tumblers 1940-1950
£ 120
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Rare Georgian Glass Toddy Lifter c.1820
£ 140
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Georgian Glass Toddy Lifter c.1820
£ 110
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Unusual Quality George III Cut Glass Ships Decanter
£ 225
Jeff Sims Antiques
Rare Victorian Silver Mounted Decanter with Greyhound Stopper
£ 235
Albrington Antiques Ltd
Pair of Art Deco Decanters by Hukin & Heath 1911-1912
£ 2,000
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Rare 19th Century Josef Keller Designed Glass Decanter c.1880 by Stevens & Williams
£ 325
Rare 19th Century Josef Keller Designed Glass Decanter c.1880 by Stevens & Williams
£ 325
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Three Antique Victorian Cut Decanters in Silver Plated Frame 1870
£ 550
Three Antique Victorian Cut Decanters in Silver Plated Frame 1870
£ 550
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Bridport Antiques
Pair of Burgundy Spirit Flagons with Labels
£ 140
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Victorian Silver Quatrafoil Glass Decanter by John Walsh Walsh 1872
£ 185
Victorian Silver Quatrafoil Glass Decanter by John Walsh Walsh 1872
£ 185
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Pair of 19th Century Victorian Shaft & Globe Glass Decanters By Thomas Webb C1870
£ 490
Pair of 19th Century Victorian Shaft & Globe Glass Decanters By Thomas Webb C1870
£ 490
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Verdi Art & Antiques
Suite of Etched Glass Decanter & Six Glasses
£ 120
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pair of Quality Antique Victorian Cranberry Glass Decanters with Twelve Cranberry Glass Wine Glasses
£ 545
Pair of Quality Antique Victorian Cranberry Glass Decanters with Twelve Cranberry Glass Wine Glasses
£ 545
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Pair of Edwardian Cut Glass Decanters C1910
£ 385
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Large 19th Century Engraved Claret Jug C1860
£ 425
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Early 19th Century Box Glass Decanter Set C1820
£ 750
Jo Brayshaw
Three Ring Decanter. C1900
£ 68
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Superb Antique Edwardian Cranberry Glass Wine Decanter
£ 295
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pair of Antique Edwardian Cut Glass Decanters
£ 245
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Stevens & Williams Green Inatglio Cut Silver Top Glass Decanter c.1899
£ 1,250
Stevens & Williams Green Inatglio Cut Silver Top Glass Decanter c.1899
£ 1,250
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Pair of Silver Topped Edwardian Glass Decanters c.1910
£ 385
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Quality Antique Cut Glass Decanter
£ 265
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pair of Antique Edwardian Cut Glass Decanters
£ 225
Those Were The Days
Mary Gregory Style Green Glass Decanter
£ 78
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Decanter
£ 165
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Elegant Antique Victorian Quality Glass Decanter
£ 225
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Ships Decanter
£ 245
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Large Scottish Magnum Glass Whisky or Water Carafe C1890
£ 380
Large Scottish Magnum Glass Whisky or Water Carafe C1890
£ 380
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Georgian Engraved Glass Taper Decanter C1780
£ 280
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Pair of Thomas Webb Glass Decanters c.1865
£ 280
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Tall 19th Century Victorian Glass Claret Jug By Thomas Webb C1870
£ 390
Tall 19th Century Victorian Glass Claret Jug By Thomas Webb C1870
£ 390
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Andrew Cox Antiques
Silver Mounted Whisky Tot with Original Silver Label
£ 265
Epilogue One Antiques
Set of 3 Small Cased Decanters Hallmarked Wolfsky & Co Ltd London 1928
£ 275
Set of 3 Small Cased Decanters Hallmarked Wolfsky & Co Ltd London 1928
£ 275
Epilogue One Antiques
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Wonderful Quality Antique Edwardian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 295
Jeff Sims Antiques
Lovely Victorian Etched Liqueur Decanter
£ 135
Andrew Cox Antiques
Superb Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 155
Exhibit Antiques & Collectibles
Engraved Victorian Glass Wine Carafe c.1860
£ 69
Sunnyside Antiques
Claret Jug - Stylish Decanter
£ 340
Those Were The Days
Set of Vinegar Decanters
£ 32
Sturmans Antiques Ltd
Antique Silver Whisky Noggin Decanter & Label
£ 239