Shop for antique glass

Antique glass is good value relative to what it would have cost to make, and pieces can be bought at fairs, auctions and antiques shops for a fraction of the cost of new versions. Andy McConnell, long-serving glass specialist on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, and owner of the shop Glass Etc in Rye, has these tips for those considering buying antique glass:

Particularly relevant at an

antiques fair, don’t buy glass in the rain. ‘You can’t see it properly and the water will affect its optics. Be very careful. If it is wet on the inside, it may also be suffering from cloudiness, which can cost a bit to have cleaned.’ Don’t buy anything with cracks. ‘Small chips can be restored by a specialist glass restorer but cracks basically mean the piece of glass is dead. When examining glassware,

look at anything with a handle very carefully. Handles on pieces such as jugs are particularly susceptible to cracking, especially where the handle meets the body of the jug.’ Be wary of reproductions.

‘Glass is not easy to identify as hardly anything is marked and many millions of pieces have been made, so there are lots of reproductions around.’ If buying a valuable piece,

make sure you buy from a reputable dealer. ‘If something is expensive, be circumspect. Buy at a vetted fair or take your chances. At my shop, we are happy to answer any questions, are here every day and we will always take something back if the customer isn’t happy.’ As with all antiques, buy what you love. ‘Never buy glass for an investment, but as something you will always enjoy.’ Accept that old glass has bubbles, marks and inclusions. ‘An 18th-century wine glass will have imperfections and that’s why we love it so much.’ Use the glass, don’t have it

collecting dust on a shelf. ‘But perhaps don’t put a £15,000 medieval wine glass in the dishwasher!’ Andy McConnell’s revised edition of his book, The Decanter, the definitive work on the historic glass vessel, is published on 28th November 2018.