Sold for A$40
Pair of double hand blown mercury glasses with original base plug. One is a goblet, the other a chalice. Glassware Mercury Pair of double hand blown mercury glasses with original base plug. One is a goblet, the other a chalice. Chalice: 107 mm. Goblet: 141 mm.. 1860s
Mercury glass (or silvered glass) is glass that was blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution, and sealed. Although mercury was originally used to provide the reflective coating for mirrors, elemental mercury was never used to create tableware. Silvered glass was free-blown, then silvered with a solution containing silver nitrate and grape sugar in solution, heated, then closed. Sealing methods include metal discs covered with a glass round or a cork inserted into the unpolished pontil scar. "Mercury" silvered glass was produced originally from around 1840 until at least 1930 in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), Germany and also manufactured in England from 1849 to 1855. Edward Varnish and Frederick Hale Thomson patented the technique for silvering glass vessels in 1849. The chalice is stoppered with a glass plug. This has some grime and minor marks. The etched design around the outside includes a couple of birds and leaves. The silvered outer bowl is very mirror like, there is some discolouration to the lower part. The goblet has the lead seal as a plug which has written on it: Haida, in Bohmen. Some grime, a bit of crud to be found. Mirrored effect to bowl is great, the lower base part has some flaking and staining. A great set of really interesting items. Grade: N/A Estimate: $$50.00 - $75.00
