A Dutch moulded and silver-mounted flask, second half 17th Century
Of translucent amethyst glass, the squat globular body decorated overall with 'nipt diamond waies', the tall slender neck with a single ring collar, the silver cover attached to the neck collar by a chain, 24cm high
Footnotes:
It was not until the latter part of the 17th century that the use of carafes became common in northern Europe, many of which were mounted in silver or gilt bronze. The technique of 'nipt diamond waies' originated in Venice and was popular in the Netherlands for decorating such bottles and flasks in the 17th century. The term was first used in 1677 by George Ravenscroft who used the technique to decorate early British vessels of lead glass and this method of ornament continued in England into the first half of the 18th century. A similar amethyst glass bottle is illustrated by Franz Adrian Drier, Venezianische Gläser (1989), p.98, no.94. A smaller example in amethyst glass with 'nipt diamond waies' was in the Krug Collection sold by Sotheby's on 7 July 1981, lot 143. See also the related amethyst example moulded with ribs, lot 138. A very similar example in blue glass in the Rijksmuseum (inv. no.BK-KOG-135) is illustrated by Pieter Ritsema van Eck, Glass in the Rijksmuseum (1993), pp.188-9, no.299. Another in blue glass with an applied handle from the Overduin Collection was sold by Bonhams on 21 May 2014, lot 19.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: *
* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.

There is a section of the rim missing beneath the silver cover, measuring approximately 1.5cm wide x 1.5cm deep. This damage is not visible when the cover is in place. The silver chain has become detached in the past, and has been reattached to the collar with a twisted steel wire link and to the cover with copper wire. There are otherwise no further condition issues. There is typical light wear or abrasion to the 'nipt diamond waies' at the widest points of the flask as expected, and some light wear underneath the footrim where it has been standing. There is a small piece of clinker within the glass at the shoulder of the flask from manufacture. All other striations and imperfections within the glass are entirely natural and from manufacture.