Posted 10 years ago
SamanthaIn…
(4 items)
Just bought this at auction (in amongst some other bits n pieces) but haven't a clue what it is! I think it's made of glass as there seems to be a pontil mark on the base- thought at first it was a vase but when I tried to wash it out (there seems to be something inside the stem rattling around - did it have electrical bits once?) the water started to spout out of little holes around the bowl bit like little fountains (just beneath the flowers). Ideas I've had from family/friends so far are lamp (but where would everything go?), candle holder ( but one didn't seem to fit), vase and drinks fountain! (only problem with that is it starts to trickle everywhere after a while - a right mess that would make!) Would much appreciate any help...I'm new so not sure how well this works but hopefully I'll be able to help someone else at some point in return. Samantha.
It is a mantle vase. The holes held glass prisms. Look up mantle vase with prisms on eBay images and you will find many examples.
Actually,I meant to say Google images.
I'd call it a mantle luster-- missing the lusters (prisms).
Your friend was on the right track as most were made to hold candles in the center.
They became popular in the Victorian era and continue to be made as decorative mantle features.
scott
Bristol glass
https://www.google.com/search?q=Bristol+glass&rlz=1T4NDKB_enUS561US561&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Os_3U8ysCYucyQSjn4H4BQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1600&bih=717
Wow - thank you so much! Didn't expect to get replies so quickly. I shall have a look now.
Hi again - well I've been researching this and there's a guy online who says that many mantle lusters on the market as Victorian are fakes - he also says many were electric at one time or another - this would explain my luster because there's something rattling around in the stem that I can't quite make out nor move - could it be remains of electrical wiring? And if it is - what age would you guys put it at? It is gorgeous anyway - am looking at the price of prisms (Uk based) so would much appreciate any guidance with that also ;)
Yours is not a fake nor was it used as an electric lamp and what's in the stem could be residue of wax or something that fell in it. It looks quite old...certainly Victorian and could be French....certainly European. The enameling is quite nice and there would have been a pair at one time. RER(BOB)
Thank you :) I'll have a poke about and see if I can move it...