If you have an antique decanter at home, you should be mighty proud as not many people own a truly unique vintage piece of glassware. You might have gotten it handed down from generation to generation, or maybe left in a will by one of your passed away relatives, or you might have bought it at one of the antique shop that you came across in your wandering abroad. But how do you know that the piece you have at home, or you’re holding in your hands, is truly the genuine antique glassware?

Luckily there are many ways to really find out. Of course you need to do your research and learn more about the crystal decanters in the process. Knowing more about the properties and benefits of a decanter will come in handy during your research.

If you want to research your piece, you have a good couple of places to get you started, so don’t despair if you don’t have anyone near you who is a wine connoisseur to help you with it.

The times when decanters were really common were around the 18th and the 19th century, when aristocracy was using them during their many posh parties to pour wine in drinking glasses. A person who owned a very exotic and rare decanter was very popular with the ‘in’ crowd of those times.

To get started learning more about decanters, you will be well served by reading the book Decanters 1760-1930. by David Leigh. With over 80 illustrations and color pictures, this book is a real resource on identifying various decanters of the ancient times. Not only that, but using this book you can learn more about the various stages that the decanters have passed through during the years gone by. For example, you can learn about their styles and the many different materials used for them. I own this book and it has actually helped me with some of my old pieces that I got from my grandparents before they passed away.

I also have Decanters by Andy McConnell which is a book written in 2004. This book, at 600 pages, is a true authority on all aspects of decanters. While it focuses a lot on European decanters, it also touches on several American crystal-ware. This book also depicts the various changes that decanters have been gone through until now. You might have at home a decanter with a strange shape and this book can easily help you identify it. This is one great way to learn whether your piece is the genuine item or an ordinary piece of glass.

One of the most popular types of decanters today is the Riedel crystal decanter. Go to Crystal decanter to learn more.