es, hung upon the walls. Among the gems of such ornaments
were the exquisite tablets and cameos made by Josiah Wedgwood, whose
beautiful vases and miniature bottles, as well as tea-sets in the same
wares, were so much admired.

[Illustration: FIG. 62.--THREE FINE OLD IVORIES.]

VII

GLASS AND ENAMELS

CHAPTER VII

GLASS AND ENAMELS

Waterford, Bristol, and Nailsea--Ornaments of glass--Enamels on
metal.

Glass is used in every home. It is seen in its ornamental forms, and is
necessary in almost every department. In kitchen and pantry there are
dishes and tumblers and wine glasses and decanters ready for use. Among
these there are often found old glasses--that is, glass vessels which
from their rarity or age have attained a curio value; indeed, many
housewives are unaware that their kitchen cupboard contains what would
be valued as interesting specimens gladly purchased by collectors of
glass. Many of the old tumblers are beautifully engraved, often having
floral ornament and dainty rustic scenes. They are now and then
commemorative of events which the glass maker has recorded with his
graving tool, and sometimes they have been prepared to catch the passing
fancy. The styles of table glass have changed, and their shapes and
sizes have altered according to the popular custom of imbibing certain
liquors.

When punch ceased to be the customary drink, and lesser quantities of
ale were consumed, punch bowls and tankards were less in request. Their
places were taken by wine glasses of more delicate forms, and charming
tallboys and crinkled vessels of glass took the place of the older mugs
and pewter cups. The glasses used in proffering and drinking toasts have
changed much during the last century, and the "fiat" glasses of the
Jacobite period, and those curious glasses with portraits of the Old
Pretender and the Young Pretender upon them, are curios only, for they
are no longer needed, neither is the toast of "The King" drunk "over the
water." Spirit glasses and decanters have altered in form, but among
those which have survived and are still sound are some rare examples of
cutting, made in the days when the glass cutter worked with primitive
tools, and such methods as the sand blast, chemical etching, and some of
the newer processes were unknown.

Waterford, Bristol, and Nailsea.

Among table sundries are glass salts and cruets; the latter, however,
have been modernized and reduced in si