Cut glass" is glass that has been decorated entirely by hand by use of rotating wheels. Cuts are made in an otherwise completely smooth surface of the glass by artisans holding and moving the piece against various sized metal or stone wheels, to produce a predetermined pleasing pattern. Cutting may be combined with other decorative techniques, but "cut glass" usually refers to a glass object that has been decorated entirely by cutting.

The Brilliant Cut Glass era in American extended from 1876 -1917. First introduced by eight enterprising American companies at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

This lovely "Brilliant" cut glass sugar & creamer set, circa 1915, is ablaze with pinwheel, triangles, fan and sixteen-point star cut patterns with sawtooth edges and bulls-eye handles. The sugar measures 2 5/8" in height, 4" across and 6 1/2" from handle-to-handle; the creamer measures 2 3/4" in height, 3 1/4" across and 5" from spout-to-handle; both cut from clear heavy blanks. There are no cracks, chips or repairs. Unsigned as to maker.