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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: booklands on December 31, 2015, 02:59:32 PM

Title: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: booklands on December 31, 2015, 02:59:32 PM

Can anyone identify this piece please. It's solid glass about 12" long, has a broken off end which may have given a clue to what it is. Described as a pestle but no wear to bulb end and purchased with some Victorian glass dumps. I have another the same.
Many thanks for any help.
Paul

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: Pinkspoons on December 31, 2015, 10:35:47 PM

Chandelier drop, perhaps?

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: KevinH on December 31, 2015, 11:01:22 PM

It could be a pestle. But might be a "drumstick" - a frigger from the mid 1800s to early 1900s.

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: booklands on January 03, 2016, 09:24:10 AM

Thanks for your replies. I'm beginning to think it may be a test piece that didn't work or an apprentice exercise. I suppose that classifies it as a frigger?
Paul

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: oldglassman on January 03, 2016, 09:57:57 AM

Hi ,
        I believe KevinH is correct in that it is most likely a drumstick,I do have a couple of these which are wrythened,unfortunately no photo at the moment,many "friggers" such as these were made for the "Trade" processions in the 19th c   glass trumpets were very popular along with other sound producing items drums included , as yet though I dont know of a surviving drum though drum sticks seem to have survived in greater numbers  probably due to them being pretty solid .

cheers ,

Peter.

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: oldglassman on January 03, 2016, 06:36:33 PM

 Hi,
             A quick photo below of 3 similar items which I believe to be drumsticks,green wrythened glass approximately 12 in long.

cheers ,

Peter.

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: booklands on January 04, 2016, 10:15:03 AM

Well thank you very much Peter for your interest. You and Kevin H I think are spot on with drumsticks. I had no idea these were made in glass. Mine are very similar in size and shape to yours (but no where near as nice!) and the fact I have a pair seems to me they can only be drumsticks. Would they have any value do you think bearing in mind the ends seem a bit broken and are they quite rare?
Many thanks
Paul

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: oldglassman on January 04, 2016, 10:48:01 AM

Hi,
       They are certainly not common but I would not say rare , value when perfect would only be in the 10s of pounds,mine cost on average £30 to £40 each. great items of glass history but sadly of no great value.

cheers ,
 Peter

Title: Re: Glass pestle or what?
Post by: booklands on January 04, 2016, 05:29:36 PM

Thanks Peter. They are nice and a piece of history. I did find there is a pair in the Nottingham City Museum which are similar to yours. See the link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/35035730@N03/8090973306

Regards
Paul