Skull Decanter and Shot Glass Set

A decanter blown into the shape of a skull, 18cm long by 11cm wide and 8cm tall, with six matching shot glasses at 7cm cubed. Filled with something amber it becomes a genuinely striking object: the light collects in the eye sockets and along the jaw, and the level of the spirit changes the whole look of the piece as it goes down.

It is made in borosilicate glass, which is the material used for laboratory ware and good coffee equipment. That means an even wall thickness with no thin spots, a clean polished surface that shows the colour of a spirit properly, and better tolerance of temperature change than ordinary soda-lime glass. The surfaces are smooth throughout, so it rinses out easily.

It suits a drinks trolley, a home bar, a study shelf or a Halloween table, and makes an easy gift for someone who already has every gadget. Hand wash in warm water and drain upside down; do not put it in a dishwasher, where the shape traps water and the glasses knock together. Handle the decanter by the body rather than the crown, and keep the set out of reach of children. A decanter of this shape is best emptied rather than used for long-term storage of a spirit.

• Borosilicate glass decanter, approx. 18 x 11 x 8cm
• Six matching shot glasses, approx. 7 x 7 x 7cm each
• Even wall thickness with a polished finish
• Suits spirits, liqueurs and cocktail service
• Hand wash in warm water and drain upside down
• Not dishwasher safe; glass can break if dropped
• Keep out of reach of children