A finely engraved ship's decanter

Antique ship's decanters, as many will know, are decidedly difficult to find, but even as ship's decanters go, this is a special one. 

It has a panel-cut shoulders and neck and 4 rounded neck rings below a slightly everted rim.  The base is fluted, and between the fluting and panel-cutting is a very finely engraved band of stylised flowerheads and foliage against a matted ground, and within a zig-zag border.   The underside of the decanter is star-cut, with the star running to the edge of the base, which is a very unusual feature.  The stopper is a radially-cut target.

The narrow band of engraving is highly idiosyncratic - obviously from the hand of an accomplished and experienced artist.

John Richardson was one of three engravers who left Newcastle in 1806 to work in nearby Sunderland.  There exists a 'sample rummer', that is a large drinking glass variously engraved with differing patterns, which a customer could see and from which they could order as decoration on their glassware.  It is signed by John Richardson and dated 1809.  More importantly in this connection, pattern No. 1 exactly matches the narrow band of fine engraving on this decanter.  This allows a reasonably firm attribution to the engraver and a dating.

The decanter is in excellent clear condition without any cracks or significant chips.

Date: c.1808

Dimensions: 10", 25.4 cm high incl stopper