Topic: Big old XMAS Glass Ornament ?? Thick Glass ??

[antiquerose123]

Hi there:

Just found this today.  Think it is an Old Xmas ornament - but the biggest I have seen.  Can see the thick glass on the end (see Pic # 3).   Is this hand-blown?  I am hoping this is old (maybe the +/- the 40's era).  End of it looks like metal or brass?

~ Glass ornament is 4.5 inches long from end to end
~ To the end of the Ring it is 5 inches long
~ About 2.5 inches wide
~ Weighs about .50 of a pound

Any info on this?  Is that Silver Mercury inside?  Age, or maker, and date?  Bigger than an other old Xmas ornament I have here as it take up the *whole* palm of my hand.  Only got this today a couple hours ago.

Thanks 

[glassobsessed]

I saw two very similar items at a local auction last week, they were both shaped like a big bunch of grapes but they had the exact same metal end cap and hanger (one was purple the other clear). I was interested in them because a friend has a large clear glass ball (about 30cm in diameter) which is engraved with some simple decoration (it looks Edwardian). It also has the exact same end cap and hanger, it was bought as a present about twenty or so years ago in Habitat - a chain of shops that sold home furnishings and nik naks.

I suspect that your ornament was part of a range that was sold at the time but I am not sure that they were intended only as Christmas decorations.

John

[antiquerose123]

Thanks John!

Been hunting around the net here and was wondering IF this might be what is called a KUGEL ?? or not.  See *HERE and also *HERE .  Not sure WTFlip a Kugel is as have never heard the word before..............but it is the only thing I have found that (kinda) looks close (IMHO).

I see no marking on mine -- but you can see the thick glass on the very tip end.....so still hunting here 

[Ivo]

A Kugel  is German for ball or bullet.  I see hollow blown things with a metal closure like this regularly and I think these are made in India for displaying in a salver - along with pine cones, bus passes and wilting oranges. As one does.  These also come in green and red. Anything silvered nowadays is made in India - there are still dozens of factories making thermos flasks! 

[flying free]

I have some of these large  Indian ornaments, red crackle, and the blue and silvered.  They are pretty pieces Rose.  I hang them from the curtain poles using coloured thick ribbons.  They look pretty at Christmas and for parties.  P.s. I don't have my bus pass yet 
m

[glassobsessed]

The two I saw at the auction did not seem particularly old - not much wear and tear or corrosion so Ivo's suggestion of recent manufacture would fit. They were shaped like the grape 'Kugel' in your first link Rose except they were about twice as big.

John

[flying free]

And I think the same people who make these also make the reproduction mercury silvered glass candle holders that were all the rage  a few years ago.
m

[chopin-liszt]

I was going to mention the enormous and very heavy Indian crackle balls - I've got green and red ones, but m got there first.
I'm feeling very redundant these days........

[flying free]

    sorry Sue   and it seems apart from your most beautiful Mdina and IOW collection, where I could not claim to have more than a discreet few pieces, we do have quite a few pieces in common   
m

[chopin-liszt]

 

I did notice a while ago that you have both excellent and eclectic taste, m.