with collectors, almost completely ousted the old Georgian silver “salts.” They were often exquisite in design and shape, some being miniature models of the large punch bowls or sweetmeat glasses. The illustration ([Fig. 14]) is of an imitation pair in Old Sheffield stands.
The water jugs also are of exceptional interest. They were usually shaped on a fine and graceful model, and are heavily cut into step or deep-ringed incisions generally with massive ornamentations of leaves or panel cuttings round the neck, and diamond cuttings and flat fluting at the base. So eager, indeed, were certain of the designers to ensure that no part of the jug should be without its ornamentation, that they went so far as to adorn the handles with deep cutting inside, and placed a huge, deeply cut star on the outside bottom. Weighty substance and wealth of ornament are thus characteristic of Waterford glass, although it is, of course, impossible to say that all Irish glass displaying these qualities came from the Waterford houses.
The jugs illustrated in Fig. 30 are among the finest specimens in existence, and are from the Dublin Museum Collection. A careful inspection will reveal most of the characteristics to which we have referred. The figure on the left is the type most familiar nowadays; the neck is step cut, the body is “strawberry,” and the base is flat fluted. The centre piece is a jug of the earliest shape, and is curiously cut. A band of strawberry cutting round the widest part of the body is flanked top and bottom by bands of leaf cutting; the lip seems so disproportionately large as to give the piece an almost top-heavy appearance. The handle, too, is abnormally large, and is incised on the inside. Its interest is rather more historical than artistic. The third, on the right, is a fine example of flat cutting, the rim being scalloped and the handle deeply scored with “niches,” besides being lavishly ornamented. The base is curious in that it is domed—a very unusual form for a jug.
Many of the Waterford pieces, especially the preserve jars with turn-over collars, were made with covers to protect the upper rim. These are very attractive pieces, and are found in all shapes and sizes. The smaller ones, both with and without collars, are exceedingly pretty and not difficult to acquire.
The four shown in Fig. 33 give an excellent idea of what to expect. Each is distinct, both
IRISH BOWLS.
SPECIMENS OF IRISH PRESERVE JARS AND COVERS. 18th-19th CENTURY.