Topic: Small footed bowl ..salt ?

[bat20]

I haven’t seen any vintage glass with all the the mentioned characteristics of this little bowl ?,unless it has been made to pass as older than it is and then I can’t see the profit in doing so.

[Ekimp]

I’ve got vintage glass with white inclusions, some quite large. Paul comments on the tool marks and I don’t really think the base wear proves anything other than its worn and wasn’t made yesterday?

Not that there’s anything wrong with it but it doesn’t strike me as an heirloom type object to be handed down and treasured and wrapped in tissue but more something utilitarian that was kept to be used (assuming it’s 200 odd years old).

Has it got much wear other than on the base? I would expect there to be plenty of nicks and scratches on the outside, not just the base. If it was glass for the table such as a salt, I think I there to be wear on the rim, from being stored upside down when not in use. Also probably scratches and staining or dullness  on the inside?

[bat20]

Ok Ekimp , always good to get other people’s views on what’s worth being interested in or not.

[thewingedsphinx]

Open Salts have a wide opening to get to the salt I don’t think this is a salt, but maybe a “whale oil lamp base” where a small tin drop in burner would sit in the top dangling a small wick underneath. Especially if the bowl is weighty for stability.
Cheers Mike

[Paul S.]

I don't think we yet know the diameter of the opening - though agree it probably isn't large in comparison with the size of the body.     However, taking into account the foot, and overall thickness of glass, then together they must remove quite a bit of the total height of 2 inches.     Would this leave the sort of capacity adequate for a lamp base?     I've not a clue, I don't recall seeing whale oil lamps before  -  do you have an example you can show Mike?

[thewingedsphinx]

There’s lots or variations in size and shape. I presume the small ones for personal use. But oil would have been a luxury in those days.

[Paul S.]

thanks - looks to be a good general match for shape at least  -  I can imagine a few of them might have ended up being used as salts.

[bat20]

Thanks TWS !that looks like a more than promising lead to me and something I haven’t come across before , very interesting thanks again.

[Paul S.]

forgot to ask Mike  -    assuming this is what you are suggesting, then what sort of date might it be?

[Ekimp]

Ok Ekimp , always good to get other people’s views on what’s worth being interested in or not.

I would hope no one would presume to tell anyone else what was ‘worth being interested in’.

Here is a vase I got recently which I believe is Stevens and Williams c1930/40. You can see one of the white inclusions. The foot also looks similar in profile, pontil scar and wear.

As I said, I’m not saying your bowl isn’t antique, just that the features you describe that give it 200 years of age can equally be found on many vintage items.