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
Handsome Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 135
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Tall Mappin & Webb Cut Glass Decanter with Silver Mount
£ 185
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Ships Decanter
£ 245
Bridport Antiques
Silver Collar Decanter
£ 85
Andrew Cox Antiques
Rare Georgian Bristol Blue Rum Decanter
£ 185
Andrew Cox Antiques
Wonderful Bristol Green Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
£ 245
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Glass Decanter
£ 245
Jeff Sims Antiques
A Handsome and Imposing Victorian Decanter with Silver Plated Coaster
£ 165
A Handsome and Imposing Victorian Decanter with Silver Plated Coaster
£ 165
Jeff Sims Antiques
Sturmans Antiques Ltd
Victorian Oak Tantalus With Games Drawer
£ 795
Bridport Antiques
Amethyst Decanter
£ 110
The Old Champagne Glass Company
Claret Jug by Thomas Webb c.1925
£ 165
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Ruby Glass Decanters
£ 345
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Victorian Quality Decanter Stand with Three Original Cut Glass Decanters
£ 585
Antique Victorian Quality Decanter Stand with Three Original Cut Glass Decanters
£ 585
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Oak Three Decanter Tantalus
£ 595
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Superb Victorian Silver Plated Claret Jug By Hukin & Heath, Circa 1890
£ 225
Superb Victorian Silver Plated Claret Jug By Hukin & Heath, Circa 1890
£ 225
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Rams Head Antiques
Good Pair of Early 19th Cut Crystal Mallet Decanters
£ 485
London City Antiques
Pair of Antique George III Quality Cut Glass Shaped Decanters
£ 645
Windsor House Antiques
Attractive Pair of Early 19th Century Mallet Shaped Carafes
£ 130
Windsor House Antiques
Mid 19th Century Mallet Shaped Decanter
£ 60
£ 495
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
English Solid Silver & Glass Spirit Decanter, Mappin & Webb c.1929
£ 1,795
English Solid Silver & Glass Spirit Decanter, Mappin & Webb c.1929
£ 1,795
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
20thc German Solid Silver & Etched Glass Claret Jug c.1900
£ 795
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
£ 1,275
Pair of Antique Decanters & Stands, English, Silver Plate, Edwardian c.1910
£ 1,275
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
£ 300
Edwardian Silver Mounted Green Glass Glug Decanter, William Comyns London 1905
£ 300
Museum of Treasure
Sunnyside Antiques
Pair of Victorian Globe Decanters
£ 165
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
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