Victorian Cobalt Blue Glass Brandy Decanter with Gilt Label

A handsome Victorian cobalt blue glass Brandy decanter, retaining a stopper that is believed to be a later replacement but which displays sympathetically with the bottle.

The decanter is of classic nineteenth-century spirit-bottle form, with a broad rounded body rising to a tall tapering neck. The front bears an elegant gilt cartouche enclosing the hand-lettered word Brandy, with additional gilt chain and line decoration extending around the shoulder. The rich cobalt blue colouring creates a striking contrast with the surviving gilding and would originally have formed part of a well-appointed sideboard or dining-room decanter set.

Named spirit decanters became increasingly popular during the nineteenth century as domestic entertaining and formal dining expanded amongst the British middle and upper classes. Cobalt blue examples were particularly favoured for their decorative appearance and their ability to stand out amongst clear table glass. Surviving examples retaining their original gilt spirit designation are increasingly sought after by collectors of antique glass and Victorian domestic furnishings.

The decoration on this example remains readily identifiable and retains considerable visual appeal. The stopper is present but is best described as possibly later, being appropriate in colour and style but not guaranteed original to the bottle.

Comparable nineteenth-century cobalt blue spirit decanters are represented in specialist glass collections and museum holdings concerned with British domestic glass, including examples in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Museums Scotland. However, I have not located a separately catalogued institutional record for this specific decanter design.

An attractive and decorative Victorian spirit decanter displaying particularly well.

Condition: Very good condition.

Gilt decoration survives well with expected age-related rubbing and wear. Stopper present and believed to be a later replacement. Light handling wear commensurate with age. No obvious cracks visible from the photographs.

Date: c.1860–1890
Height: Approximately 22.8 cm including stopper
Material: Cobalt blue glass with gilt decoration
Construction: Blown glass decanter with applied neck and stopper

Why Buy from Hornseys?

Established in 1976, Hornseys specialises in rare books, signed editions, manuscripts, historical documents and works of enduring cultural importance. From our gallery in Ripon, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, we serve collectors, institutions and bibliophiles throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.

Our reputation is built upon careful scholarship, accurate cataloguing and a long-standing commitment to authenticity, provenance and condition. Every item we offer is selected not simply for rarity, but for its significance within the history of literature, art, politics, exploration and collecting.

Expertise and Authenticity

Each book, manuscript or historical item is thoroughly researched and professionally described. We carefully examine points of issue, bindings, dust jackets, inscriptions, provenance and bibliographical references to ensure accuracy and authenticity throughout our catalogue.

Curated Collections

Our stock is individually chosen for rarity, condition, historical importance and collector appeal. We specialise in literary first editions, children’s books, modern literature, signed and inscribed copies, Churchilliana, fine bindings, rare maps and unusual historical ephemera.

Provenance and Scholarship

We place particular importance on provenance and collecting history. Wherever possible, our cataloguing traces ownership, associations and historical context, allowing collectors to acquire objects with genuine bibliographical and historical significance.

Customer Service

We aim to provide a professional and straightforward buying experience, from detailed cataloguing and high-quality photography to secure packaging and prompt worldwide shipping. We are always happy to discuss condition, provenance or collecting advice directly with clients.

Returns Guarantee

All items are offered with an unconditional guarantee of authenticity. Purchases may be returned within fourteen days of receipt for any reason, provided items are returned in the same condition in which they were supplied. We simply request advance notice of any return.

Explore Our Collection

Discover exceptional rare books, manuscripts, signed editions and historical material at Hornseys. With nearly fifty years of experience in the trade, we continue to offer carefully curated material chosen for rarity, condition, provenance and lasting cultural importance.