An extremely rare and important deceptive firing or dram glass decorated by William Beilby.

The thick walled round funnel bowl beautifully enameled with Temperance and leaf scroll above and below, the reverse with a flower spray,all over a short multi spiral airtwist stem and thick terraced firing foot.

Only five glasses of this form are documented, one in the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery and Museum Swansea and one in the collection of Freemasons Hall London,another was in the A C Hubbard Jr collection(current whereabouts unknown) and another which appeared at auction some time ago (whereabouts unknown) and this one,presumed to be from an original set of 6 (possibly more) which were obviously specially commissioned for a temperance society.

From a private UK collection and unseen for over 20 years.

In superb original condition.

Height 4 1/8th ins 10.4 cm