Heath & Middleton - Decanter (2) - Crystal, .925 silver

A striking matching pair of Victorian crystal decanters with sterling silver mounts by John Thomas Heath & John Hartshorne Middleton, trading as Hukin & Heath, Birmingham, dated 1896.
The decanters are made from high-quality clear crystal glass and have an elegant sculptural, waisted form. Each body is articulated by four pronounced vertical glass ribs, dividing the vessel into four symmetrical sections and terminating at the base in low triangular feet.
The neck of each decanter is fitted with a smooth sterling silver 925 collar, opening into a distinctive four-part floral form with profiled, scrolling edges resembling stylised petals.
Both decanters retain their large original spherical crystal stoppers, creating a particularly distinctive and elegant silhouette.
The silver mounts bear British hallmarks including the lion passant for sterling silver, the Birmingham anchor, the date mark corresponding to 1896, and the maker's mark JTH/JHM for John Thomas Heath and John Hartshorne Middleton, associated with the renowned firm Hukin & Heath.
Hukin & Heath was one of the most innovative British silver and decorative arts manufacturers of the late Victorian period and is particularly associated with the work of the influential designer Christopher Dresser. The sculptural and botanical character of the present decanters is stylistically related to the progressive design language associated with Dresser and the late-19th-century design reform movement; however, the present pair is not offered as a documented Christopher Dresser design.
Dimensions: approximately 30 cm high and 12 cm in diameter each.
Materials: crystal glass and sterling silver 925.
Date: Birmingham, 1896.
Provenance: private family collection.
Condition: very good overall antique condition with normal age-related surface wear and patination to the silver. The crystal bodies remain visually very well preserved. One of the original crystal stoppers has a chip to the lower end of the plug, which is not visible when the stopper is inserted. Please refer carefully to the detailed photographs.
The pair is accompanied by professional documentation confirming its maker, dating, materials and provenance.