Topic: Any ideas what this was used for

[redheat4]

It is definately old glass judging by the colour and feel I would say Georgian it is obviously meant to stand as in photo 1, the handle/knop on top has a pontil mark, the diameter of the bowl is 10cm and height 7cm, there is considerable age wear arround the bowl rim as well as the high points of the pontil mark.

Any ideas as to use?

[Andy]

Interesting.
You're sure thats the right way up?
Andy

[redheat4]

The high points of the  pontil prevents it from standing firmly the other way up, also the majority of the age wear is on the bowl rim as it would be on a drinking glass foot.

[Anne]

Two things spring to mind: either it was intended to be held in some form of frame/holder so the uneven base didn't matter, or it could be a stirrup cup.

[Bernard C]

I reasonably certain that it's a small smoke bell, clipped into place above a small oil lamp on a little shelf, as used to light stairs and landings.   See here for some of its big brothers, and note the ring on these for suspending them above room centre oil lamps.

Bernard C. 

[Frank]

Agree with Bernard but another possibility is part of an upmarket Doctor's kit, leach thingy - though not the ideal shape for that.

[Andy]

Ian,
you will have to try these suggestions out,
start by getting some leeches, pop them in and apply.
Let us know how you get on.
Cheers Andy

[Bernard C]

... as used to light stairs and landings. ...

Not forgetting the possibility of their use on the railways and canal system.

Bernard C. 

[redheat4]

Thanks all, I like the idea of a smoke bell however I have searched lots of sites a cannot see one this small.

No Frank definitely not anything to do with leeches.

My wife suggested a tea mixing bowl to sit in a hole cut in a caddy, but I think this is too small.

Ian :chky:

[butchiedog]

Hi,

it appears to be the bottom part of an item that was constructed by gluing two pieces together to form one whole item.

It could also have been attached to, fused to another piece to form one item and it just didn't fuse very well and came undone over time.

I have seen many loose, odd pieces that fit both ideas. --- Mike