Georgian Half Wrythen Ale Glass c.1800

A Georgian ale glass dating to c1800. It has a conical bowl with tight wrythen moulding spiralling around the lower half, resting on an angular knop stem and supported by a conical foot with a snapped pontil. The tight wrythen moulding creates a particularly attractive optical effect, catching and refracting the light through the spiralling ribs while leaving the upper part of the bowl plain. Historical Context: Wrythen moulding was a popular decorative technique in Georgian glassmaking, produced by twisting the hot glass while it was being formed in a ribbed mould. The resulting spiral pattern provided decoration without the additional labour and expense of wheel cutting and, particularly in candlelight, gave the glass an attractive sense of movement and brilliance. Date & Origin England, c1800 Period of George III