Topic: possible rinser/finger bowl or what?

[Paul S.]

described by the seller as a 'wine cooler' - although I'm not sure what it means in this case as too small a diameter to accommodate a bottle.          Sizes are, about.........4.5" tall with a rim diameter of a tad over 4" which narrows a little toward the base  -  slice cutting to the lower half and large quality ground/polished pontil depression and outer foot rim with fair amount of wear.
A lead glass ring which goes on for ages, and with the looks of some considerable age.
The seller might have meant to say 'wine glass cooler' - but in the absence of opposing lips it would seem unlikely (and probably too narrow anyway)  -  neither is it like any of the finger bowls I have, or seen.

But it may well turn out to be one of these items, in an unusual guise.         So opinions sought please, and thanks for looking

[Lustrousstone]

Could it not just be a whisky type glass...

[Paul S.]

thanks  -  it had crossed my mind that it might be a tumbler - some of these early C19 glasses were unlike the proportions of C20 drinking glasses - as you can see in the attached pic where the width is greater than the height.      However, it does seem large for a whiskey - but can't really think it can be anything other than a drinking glass - I think it was the seller's description that had mislead me in the beginning.      I had the date down as something like 1820 - 1840 perhaps.  

[Ivo]

Ice bucket, anyone?

[oldglassman]

HI ,
           Or a tea mixing glass from a caddy perhaps .

cheers ,
             Peter.

[Paul S.]

many thanks - both are possibilities - although I'd be less inclined to go with the tea mixing bowl in view of the wear - I had this idea that as mixing bowls remained within the caddy, then their bottoms might remain almost free of wear.   -  but that is just my opinion and I could be very wrong.         Unfortunately, I have only two mixing bowls and neither are good examples by which to judge this piece.      As to an ice bucket  -  I don't have any examples, so bit ignorant there  -  can they be reasonably thin glass with a strong resonant ring?             

[Lustrousstone]

A bit small for an icebucket...

[Paul S.]

thanks for all the interest  -  I've just been advised by reliable GMB member that they have previously seen identical pieces as mixing bowls within a tea caddy - so looks like the matter has been solved.        Think I'd have preferred it to have been a Regency tumbler, but no complaints, it's a very nice piece of lead glass from first third of C19 and cost me very little