The candlestick with the twisted stem—which, by the way, is of red drawn glass—is another fine specimen of the work of this period. Unluckily, examples are hardly likely to be very easily found; like all fragile things they have suffered heavily at the hands of Time. Fig. 16 is a representation of a very rare type of rush-light holder which dates from Jacobean times.
There is no doubt that the beauty and style of the Georgian glass, both early and late, have made it in great demand to-day, so that not only are enormous prices readily obtained for good specimens, but those prices are likely to be considerably enhanced in the future. Nevertheless, there are still many fine specimens to be obtained by a collector who will take the trouble to seek them off the beaten track. Many of them are owned by persons quite ignorant of their real value; hence it is obvious that there is still sufficient scope for the collector of Georgian glass to acquire specimens which are not only pleasing in themselves but which are likely to bring him profit as well as pleasure.
It is only essential to emphasise once more the necessity of care; for glass, unlike china, has no marks by which its period and place of manufacture can be definitely determined, and collectors can only base their opinions upon such qualities as shape, style, colour, etc., and in this, as in other departments of life, the amateur is apt to discover the truth of the adage that “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” It is best in any case of doubt to refer the question to some one who is in a position to speak with undoubted authority.
As to the Victorian Age, although it undoubtedly produced many fine specimens of glass, yet the pieces have little appeal from the collector’s point of view. Apart from this, however, it has many merits, some pieces that I have seen having been most beautifully and choicely cut and with a fine distinctive style. But, however choice, such pieces hardly fall within the category of Old English glass, and so lie beyond the scope of our inquiry.
RARE JACOBEAN GLASS RUSH-LIGHT HOLDER.
SPECIMEN OF AN EARLY ENGLISH WINE GLASS.
FIG. 16.