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Cobalt bell shaped dome folded base

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david31162:
Cobalt blue cheese/food dome (I guess).  17.5 cm wide 19 cm high.
Snapped off pontil and folded base. Does anyone have an idea of age, origin or purpose.
Many thanks
David
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/david-dj/blue%20bell/DSC05329.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/david-dj/blue%20bell/DSC05328.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/david-dj/blue%20bell/DSC05330.jpg

Ivo:
Bravo - a cupping jar and one of the most attractive ever seen.

david31162:
Really? Wow! Thanks Ivo.
I'd never have guessed as it is so big. Not much knowledge of these but do you mean the medical/pseudo-medical devices for placing on the skin?
How old do you think?
David

Ivo:
hmmmm - i managed to miss the size, just looking at the photograph. But a bell like that might have some medical purpose yet - but then again, maybe not...

Cobalt glass and manufacturing method point at anytime 1780s thru 1890s - I guess it would be mid to late 19th ct.  Around the 1870s blue glass was associated with health. If you feel under the weather, bathe in blue light and grow your vegetables in a blue greenhouse. It could be a blue dome to cover your vegetables while growing.

But more likely is a gardener's tool to isolate a sick plant - the clear variety was often seen in hyacinth growing to stop 'yellow rot' from spreading through the fields.

So whatever it will turn out to be, there is a story to tell....


 

david31162:
Thanks Ivo,
I had no idea of the age of this piece. Some interesting ideas for the original use. Will probably never find out for sure.

David

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