Philippa — Welcome to the GMB.
It looks to me like an old honey jar in which honey was sold, fitted with a lid. Comparing it with jam and marmalade jars in my kitchen cupboard, it's about the right size for a 2lb net weight container, which may explain the "2" on the base. These honey jars, imitative of the old style coiled straw beehive or skep, were often re-used as flower vases, and they look very attractive too on a window ledge with the light shining throught the horizontal rings. I've often wondered whether they were the inspiration behind the 1930s optic ribbing used for hand-blown vases by such firms as Thomas Webb, Whitefriars, and Royal Brierley.
It could have been made anywhere, but here in Britain more than likely by one of the huge bottle works of Barnsley.
As for the size, I know it's rather large, but most containers were made in both retail sizes and catering sizes to suit from the small café to the huge hotel. I've had a 7lb Taylor's Mustard pot through my hands and I have heard of even larger. It makes your eyes water just thinking about it!
Bernard C.
Topic: Anyone any ideas about this piece? (Read 1207 times)
