Topic: Any idea what this is?

[Ekimp]

Hi, the only thing I could think of is a vase that goes in a holder or in a hole in a shelf? An amateur’s project?

They’ve ground/polished the pontil scar but have had two goes at it so don’t think it was intended to be seen. There are some black bits and wavy distortion in the clear glass but don’t think there’s much age to it. The sides neck in slightly under the collar but feel that wasn’t intentional. It does feel quite nice but is pretty useless as it is, I only got it as I wondered what it was (...and it was cheap  ). Not sure the charity shop will even want it! 14.5cm tall and 350g. Thanks.

[catshome]

Hmmmm........I do love a mystery item.  First thought was an ice Holder to sit in the neck of a jug.  But if it's a purely utilitarian item, why go to the trouble of putting a decorative rim?  If it won't stand unaided, it would have had to be part of something else, or in a frame of some sort, and at the moment I'm stumped.  But I do look forward to finding out 😺

[Paul S.]

how about a cupping cup for cosmetic therapy -  you know the sort of thing  -  how to get rid of double chins - anti cellulite  -  exfoliating etc.

Alternatively, catch a wasp, slip it under the rim and then blow smoke inside to stupefy the insect.

[Ekimp]

Thanks both, learn something new every day! Cupping therapy sounds like fun. It does look quite like some of the cups and I was going to give it a test until I saw the ‘when it goes wrong’ photos. Not sure about the thing with the wasp, did people do that and with a special glass?

I didn’t know about ice holders for jugs, had a quick look, maybe it would be a bit short and fat (less surface area) but I suppose the rim could match the jug and look nice.

It does just about balance upright on the pontil but looks drunk...and I wouldn’t trust it not to pass out. If it went in a solid holder, like in a hole in a wooden shelf, then I don’t think it would look so good without light passing through it, maybe it went in a hole in a clear glass shelf...tooth brush holder?

I like cupping cup!

[Paul S.]

Have an idea I've also seen the expression 'cupping cup' applied to those smaller and thinner clear cups which were warmed and then inverted onto the skin to draw blood.       Think you can buy them still but they're a left over from the days of real quackery.      On those the rim was much thinner - think they came in different sizes too.

The wasp bit was a memory from watching a Wilde play once where the opening set involved someone who'd been stung and the culprit was imprisoned under the glass, and the victim was blowing the smoke in order to try and kill the insect.     Might have been 'The Importance etc.'
Wasps not one of my favourites.

[Ekimp]

According to the fancy website of a facility close to me, cupping is trendy. Apparently ‘This procedure helps lift the myofascia layer causing a myofascial release‘. £35 for 45minutes...

[catshome]

Cupping cup is an interesting idea, although the coloured glass rim makes it feel less likely.  It also looks fairly chunky glass.  Toothbrush holder or maybe wall vase, something like below, but resting on the thick rim

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pottery-barn-large-wall-mounted-glass-130475060

Probably too small to be a protective dome for displaying something.  Any wear marks around the rim to indicate it was meant to be standing? Or scratches on the glass where it might have been in a mount of some sort?  Candle holder in a metal stand maybe? Something like this

https://images.app.goo.gl/qkB9jdJXk7j96kca9

Sometimes in a CS, things come in packed separately and they don't always make the connection.  Could be worth a second look to see if there's anything else there that it could belong with.

[Ekimp]

Thanks, I think it was probably for holding something like your examples. Maybe not a candle with the dome. I can’t see any wear from a frame but when I look closely, there are a few scratches inside the dome as though it might have held something sometime. There is some very light wear on the rim but I think that’s likely to be from storage when not in use as it’s natural to stand it on the rim. I didn’t think the clear glass was good enough for it to be used as a cover for something on display. It is quite chunky.

Having a clear out - I got it about a year ago so no chance of going back for a look. Pretty sure it was on its own though.