Decorative

MUSEUM-GRADE 1792 GEORGIAN "DUCAL UNION" WINE GLASS ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 18TH CENTURY from 18th Century, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

An exceptionally rare and substantial George III period wine glass, custom-commissioned in 1792. This is a ''Union Glass,'' a high-status commemorative piece celebrating a matrimonial alliance between two elite British families. The centrepiece is a masterfully engraved Ducal Coronet, signifying that this union involved members of the British Peerage. Below the coronet is a stylized monogram ''P = M'', where the rare ''equal sign'' explicitly denotes the joining of two houses. The crisp date 1792 is prominently featured beneath the monogram. Based on the Ducal Coronet and the 1792 date, this glass likely commemorates a union within the highest circles of the British aristocracy. Potential candidates for the ''P'' and ''M'' connection include: The Pelham-Clinton Family (Dukes of Newcastle): One of the few houses entitled to the Ducal Coronet. The Parker Family (Earls of Macclesfie...ld): Who maintained high-status alliances and frequently commissioned premium glassware. The Manners Family (Dukes of Rutland): Whose marriages in the 1790s were major social events of the Georgian era.\n\nTechnical Specifications\nEra: Late Georgian / George III (dated 1792).\nMetal: Heavy Lead ''Flint'' Glass with a characteristic greyish tint and superb resonance.\nWeight: An massive 247 grams (far exceeding standard glasses of the period).\nStem: Features a complex seven-part air-tear cluster (one large central tear surrounded by six smaller ones) within a sturdy baluster knop.\nFoot: High-domed foot with an authentic, rough snapped-off pontil mark.\nDimensions: Height: 16.2 cm.\n\nCondition Report\nThis glass has been meticulously preserved: No chips (rim and foot-rim are smooth and free of ''flea bites''). No cracks or internal bruising. No repairs or restorations of any kind. The engraving remains sharp and clear, and the glass displays no ''sickness'' or clouding.\n\nCollector''s Note\nDated Georgian glass is highly coveted, but a specifically dated Union piece with a Ducal Coronet and a multi-tear stem is a ''holy grail'' for collectors of English lead glass. Its weight and condition make it an investment-grade example of 18th-century social history.

— Details

Reference

SA1208621

Origin

18th Century

Period

18TH CENTURY

Dimensions

H 16.2cm

Weight

247 g

Rarity

High

Condition

Excellent — see description