Topic: Glass rinsers - how old do you think these might be?

[josordoni]

I have two sets of four each of these rinsers, but I am not sure how old they might be, or where they may be from.  Anyone have any ideas?

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4930 Rinser one
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4931  Rinser two

Thanks!

[Heidimin]

Sorry - can't help, but I'm curious. What's a rinser?

[Andy]

Heidi,
I believe its a bowl that you would have on the dining table, literally to rinse your
drinking glass, i presume before you open the next bottle! Hic!
Andy
(usually 19th century, and possibly to warm or cool the drinking glass)

[josordoni]

Heidi,
I believe its a bowl that you would have on the dining table, literally to rinse your
drinking glass, i presume before you open the next bottle! Hic!
Andy
(usually 19th century, and possibly to warm or cool the drinking glass)

That's it!  Cos they drank one hell of a lot those Georgians....a different wine with each dish sometimes.

Which is why they needed a bordelou...

as you say, hic!

[Andy]

Hi Lynne,
just looking in millers glass guide, 2002, it says,
Wine glass coolers or rinsers(US name) unusual items of late 18th and 19thC.
Same size as a finger bowl, with pouring lips each side, were used to rinse or cool
wine glasses between courses.
A picture of one almost identical, (as your rinser 2) says, set of 6 c1840 5inches (12.5cm) wide
£220-250. (pinch of salt needed!)
Cheers Andy

[Heidimin]

Which is why they needed a bordelou...

Now you're teasing me, Lynne! All I can find on-line and in my dictionary is a variant of "bordel" - brothel or complete mess. Surely you're not telling me those cunning old Georgians had something special made of glass for that too...

[Anne]

Heidi, it's true. A bordelou was a portable convenience - I have a china one in blue and white ware here. Mine looks like a double-ended sauceboat with a built in underplate. 

See also this thread where they were mentioned previously:
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,3283.0.html

[Heidimin]

Thanks, Anne - what a mine of information is the GMB!   

[Heidimin]

PS - but at the dinner table?? Surely not... 

[Lustrousstone]

Yes, behind a screen. Somewhere I went this summer, a National Trust house, hasa  cupboard in the dining room for a commode. I think perhaps a bordelou was more for in your carriage, hence the saucer