A Victorian Glass Pineapple Stand c1865

Description

Heading : Pineapple Stand
Date : 1850-1880
Period : Victoria
Origin : England
Colour : Clear
Glass Type : Lead
Size : height 17.5cm
Condition : Excellent
Weight: 1165 grams

The pineapple is a fruit that nowadays we take for granted. In the late 17th. the  entire 18th and into the late 19th century they were a status symbol. The landed gentry grew their own at considerable expense in purpose built “pinery”. For the mere mortal very rich they could be rented solely to be displayed at social engagements. but not to be eaten. This lavish piece of glass has but one purpose. to display a pineapple as a centrepiece upon a dining table to convey ones own wealth and status.

It was not until the early 20th century and the advent of large commercial plantations  that the cachet associated with the fruit began to denude.

This is a fabulous period novelty and your guests will not have encountered one before. We assure you that it is the correct way up! It has been pointed out that when inverted it could be used for “rings and chunks”. We thought this most amusing and worthy of sharing.