Lead crystal glass was developed in England in about 1676. It is clear, brilliant, with a high index of refraction, and, because of its high lead content, easier to melt. Those characteristics were used effectively in cut glass. English cut glass, inspired by the classical taste then current in English society, tends to present a weighty, solemn effect. This example's base motif is the finely crosscut strawberry diamond. Such wares became the model for Japanese cut glass (kiriko), in which the strawberry diamond motif was used extensively.