An Early Petal Moulded Celery Vase c1830

Description

Heading : An early petal moulded celery vase
Date : c1830 and perhaps a little earlier
Period : George IV- William IV
Origin : England
Colour : Clear. grey-blue hue
Bowl : Ogee with folded rim. Petal moulded bowl
Stem : Capstan
Foot : Conical
Pontil : Snapped
Glass Type : Lead
Size : 18cm tall.   10cm bowl and 10cm foot
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks. Two large inclusions within the glass
Restoration : None
Weight :  767 grams

We really do enjoy the obscure avenues that appear when researching items of glass silver and porcelain. Nowadays celery is mundane. this was not the case in the early 19th century. It was apparently first cultivated in Mesopotamia. Cultivation in Southern Europe was certainly being achieved by the 15th century. however in Britain it was not until around 1800 that cultivation became successful. We have found records of it being on sale in Cambridgeshire and the Fens in 1802-3

With scarcity came kudos and cachet and the prices achieved were mind boggling. A head of celery would sell in London for the equivalent of £70- £90 today. Celery vases were made to display the prize on dining tables. All manner of properties were associated with celery. a “restorative tonic” and claims were made that it restored the male libido….a potential cul-de-sac we shall explore no further.

If you do not wish to display your stalks then a add a pint and a half of bloody mary and stir with the requisite vegetable.