Vintage Cut Crystal Double Old Fashioned Glass

This is a vintage whiskey or double old fashioned glass, likely crafted from high-quality lead crystal. The piece features a stout, cylindrical form with a slight taper toward the base, characteristic of mid-20th-century barware. The lower third of the glass is decorated with deep, vertical wedge cuts that provide a textured grip and enhance the light refraction through the thick, weighted base. Above these geometric cuts is a more delicate, wheel-etched or engraved horizontal band featuring a stylized laurel-like or wheat-husk motif encircling the circumference. The glass exhibits high clarity with no immediate signs of clouding or 'glass sickness.' The construction technique involves a pressed or molded blank that was subsequently hand-finished with cutting and etching processes. Based on the design language, it likely dates from the 1950s to the 1970s. Condition wise, the rim appears smooth in the low-resolution image, though some surface micro-scratching may be present on the underside of the heavy sham due to shelf wear. No prominent chips or cracks are noted, suggesting it has been well-preserved as part of a legacy service set. The craftsmanship suggests a reputable maker, though no visible acid mark or signature is distinguishable at this resolution.

Based on my visual examination of this Double Old Fashioned glass, I have identified it as a high-quality lead crystal piece from the mid-20th century, likely produced between 1955 and 1965. The item features a thick 'sham' or weighted base and a combination of deep wedge cuts and a delicate wheat-husk etched band. The clarity is exceptional, indicating a high lead content typical of European or American luxury manufacturers such as Baccarat or Tiffin, though it lacks a visible maker's mark. The condition appears to be 'Excellent Vintage,' with the rim showing no evidence of fleabites or grinding. While minor 'shelf wear' or micro-scratches are expected on the underside of a piece of this age, the absence of clouding or surface bloom significantly protects its value. On the current secondary market, there is steady demand for 'Mad Men' era barware; however, single glasses typically command lower prices than complete sets of six or eight. Comparables for single unbranded crystal tumblers of this quality range from $40 to $80 depending on the venue. The value is driven by the density of the crystal and the crispness of the hand-finished cuts. Limitations: This appraisal is based on photographic evidence only. To provide a definitive authentication, I would need to perform a physical inspection to check for acid-etched marks on the base, analyze the 'ring' or resonance of the glass to confirm lead content, and use a UV light to check for the fluorescence characteristic of specific manufacturers. Provenance documents or original retail packaging would also be required to confirm a specific maker like Waterford or Webb Corbett.