| In 18th century America, a flourishing household | | | | counterparts. Some others however, were by |
| has within its walls, furniture and silverware made | | | | design much larger, and used for beer, stout or in |
| in America itself. Mahogany tables were | | | | ceremonial proceedings. Size notwithstanding, |
| commissioned from New York, exquisite | | | | Georgian glassware was always remarkably |
| Chippendale chairs imported from Philadelphia and | | | | designed, with dimensions that are congruent. |
| exclusive silverware and cutlery brought directly | | | | Glassware made by the English in the 18th |
| from Massachusetts. However, when it came to | | | | century echoes the augmentation of a |
| seeking fine drinking glassware, America had to | | | | consumer-based culture in England. For each drink |
| turn to England, as stemware was not yet | | | | presented, the trend-cognizant buyer would use a |
| manufactured until much later in the century. | | | | different glass style. Some of the more |
| During the entire 18th century, fine glass was | | | | fashionable silhouettes were those used for |
| produced in vast amounts in England. Materials | | | | cordials, ale and wines. In fact, special glassware |
| such as lead crystal or flint, was first | | | | was used as tumblers and toastmaster glasses. |
| commissioned by George Ravenscroft in 1676 by | | | | Toastmaster glassware possesses dense bowls |
| combining potash and lead oxide in a batch made | | | | that housed an illusory amount of liquids, so that |
| of silica. These flint glasses were an instantaneous | | | | the toastmaster appears to be drinking a hefty |
| hit, and coveted for their lucidity and immense | | | | amount whilst making toasts. This is also to |
| beauty. Ravenscroft early works however, were | | | | guarantee that the toastmaster reaches home |
| flawed, as his glasses began to breakdown due to | | | | safely and not drunk. |
| fragility. This was quickly rectified, and | | | | Well into the 18th century, numerous household |
| Ravenscroft proceeded to better his designs and | | | | items were rendered in glass. Household glassware |
| make, resulting in glassware of unsurpassed | | | | comprised dessert and sweetmeat glasses, candle |
| beauty. | | | | and taper sticks and salvers. |
| The English-made flint glass was predisposed as | | | | The 18th century was also an era where a lot of |
| weighty, more sturdy and deflective than the | | | | drinking commenced, and decanters were a great |
| unleaded soda glass used vastly around the world. | | | | necessity. They range in several sizes, from a |
| Flint glass continued to be revered, and highly | | | | capacity for a quarter bottle, and all the way up |
| prized by connoisseurs. Because of its weight, flint | | | | to housing eight bottles, known as the 'Methuselah' |
| glasses tend to possess more resonance; and | | | | decanter. These decanters were purchased not |
| make a beautiful sound when lightly tapped by a | | | | just because of convenience, but also for their |
| fork. In comparison, a soda glass just gives out a | | | | intricate designs and workmanship. Rare examples |
| loud 'thudding' sound. It is interesting to note that | | | | include enameled decanters produced by the |
| many high quality flint, German and Venetian | | | | Beilby family in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and James |
| glassware mimicked the exterior of rock crystal. | | | | Giles's gilded ones. |
| This is why we utilize the term crystal when | | | | Later on, decanter producers promoted decanters |
| referring to fine glassware. | | | | for specific beverages, which were then labeled |
| Drinking glassware in the 18th century was | | | | as port, sherry, claret, ale and Madeira. The |
| rendered in varying dimensions and silhouettes. | | | | accompanying drinking glassware was also |
| They usually possess bowls, and smaller in | | | | exquisitely done. But that, is another story. |
| capabilities compared to more contemporary | | | | |