The NSW National Trust is now exhibiting Georgian glass pieces at Riversdale. 

National Trust of Australia (NSW) regional properties and committees coordinator Claire Baddeley said Riversdale was the first venue for the tour, which features 40 items of British Georgian-era glass from the years 1740 to 1840.

"The glass is from the Havelberg-Smith bequest and it showcases the range of skills in the glass-making as well as the style and technology of Georgian glass," Ms Baddeley said. 

"It also says something about how important glass was to wealthy people. By the early 1800s, glass was still very difficult to get in Australia.

"By the 1830s, if you could afford glass that was a reflection of your social standing."

She said the works ranged across tableware: pitchers, salt cellars, drinking glasses, and everything from champagne flutes to rummers.

"Rummers are a large glass that have a steady base that could be banged down hard on a bar," she said. 

"The average size of a drinking vessel at that time was 60-90 millilitres, which when compared to today’s wine glasses shows we are drinking more than in those days in an average serving." 

Some of the glasses have exquisite swirled colours in the stems, which show the skills of the glass-makers of the times as they were all hand-blown. Some have engraving and pictures as well.

The Trust is touring this exhibition to highlight and showcase aspects of their collection. There are about 60,000 items in that collection

It is touring to four other venues in NSW, but Riversdale is the perfect venue, being a Georgian house. 

The exhibition is at Riversdale until April 28. 

As part of the exhibition, there will be a talk with glass artist Peter Minson on Tuesday March 26 from 10am to noon at Riversdale.

"Peter produces unique glass products, including individual wine glasses, teapots, flowers and jewellery," Ms Baddeley said. 

"He has followed a path from scientific glassblowing through to functional glass and artworks, and works from a studio in Binalong.

"Peter will talk about his own work, the history of glass techniques and historical glass."

The talk is free with entry to Riversdale, which costs $10 adults, $8 concession, National Trust members are free.