Capillaire was a liqueur flavoured with maidenhair fern (Capillaris Herba) or orange flower water, for which there are numerous recipes. It was used as a sweetening agent for spirits. In the 18th century convivial social groups, or capillaire societies, met to drink this special cordial. A similar example from the A C Hubbard Collection is illustrated by Ward Lloyd, A Wine Lover's Glasses, (2000), p.92, pl.127(b) and was sold by Bonhams on 30 November 2011, lot 74. Another from the Meyer Collection was sold by Bonhams on 1 May 2013, lot 45.

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Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

A rare engraved airtwist capillaire glass, circa 1750

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Jim Peake