Pair of Early 1800's Bristol Cobalt Blue Hand Blown Glass Mell Decanters, Scottish

Details

Description

An exceptionally stylish pair of early decanters, bottles or wine carafes
Known as British mell decanters, or just mells, these … Read more An exceptionally stylish pair of early decanters, bottles or wine carafes
Known as British mell decanters, or just mells, these became popular and fashionable in the British society from around 1810, and kept being produced until like 1870's.
Although found all around the British islands, mells are considered by specialists to be Scottish made
Used for dispensing spirits or wine, they would usually have a cork stopper, often metal molded and with engravings specifying the liquor contained in the bottle
The decanters are in the characteristic shafted, compressed onion form with wide lips
Individually hand blown high quality glass with very good clarity
Cut and polished pontils
Desirable quintessential cobalt blue color known as Bristol blue
A well matching pair, although, due to the fact that both were individually hand made, they differ slightly
Circa early/mid 1800's, Regency/William IV period
All original

Measurements: Approximately: Each is 8.5" tall. One is slightly wider - 7" widest diameter; the widest diameter of the other is 6.75"
The wider weighs about 2 lbs.; the other is 1 lb. 13 oz.
Condition: Very Good overall. Please see photos. No major issues. Minor roughness at the pontil of one, as pictured. The bases show shelf wear expected with the age and normal use. All original. See less