blueyes29
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posted on June 16, 2007 01:14:55 PM new
My sister bought this item in an antique store but neither she nor the clerk knew what it was used for...do you?
It's two pieces of heavy glass held in place by a decorative metal frame. The metal frame is also in two pieces that is held together by two screws.
I thought of some sort of lamp/candle holder but the metal screws do not allow for easy access. Plus, there is no opening for flame/smoke. It's about 12 inches long. It's a mystery and I'm hoping someone can identify its use. Thanks for any help/info.
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twig125silver
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posted on June 16, 2007 02:49:48 PM new
I don't know what it is, but it is cool!
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blueyes29
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posted on June 16, 2007 03:54:37 PM new
You're right, Twig...it really is pretty. The molded glass is VERY thick and heavy and the metal framework really accents it nicely. I hope someoe will tell me what it might be called so I could include the name in the listing. It's always nice to know what something is before selling it! 
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roadsmith
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posted on June 16, 2007 04:48:02 PM new
Wow, gorgeous! Have you posted it on an eBay message board?
_____________________
There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
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pmelcher
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posted on June 16, 2007 04:55:15 PM new
It almost looks like it came from a church but I have no idea as to function.
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mcjane
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posted on June 16, 2007 05:21:38 PM new
I don't know what it is either, but I like it & love the color.
Maybe it's nothing more than a hanging decoration.
If your sister plans to sell it would you list the auction number.
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blueyes29
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posted on June 16, 2007 05:39:08 PM new
Thanks all for comments...Yes, I'll be putting this on eBay in the next week or so...will post the number for any who might be interested. If I can't find out a specific name, any suggestions as to what to call it? Heavy Glass Hanging Thingie? That was just my attempt at humor...but if anyone would like to offer suggestions, I'm open to ideas...Thanks!
I haven't tried the eBay message boards as past experiences haven't been very positive and I've found the people on this board to be more knowledgeable and helpful.
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vintageads4u
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posted on June 16, 2007 06:24:58 PM new
A couple of years ago, I was listing ads from The Spatula, trade journal to drug stores. The issues were 1902-1939.
This reminds me of a show globe. If it is, you may have a real money maker.
You might ask at this site:
http://www.drugstoremuseum.com/
Drug store collectors love this kind of stuff.
Just an idea because the item looks like it should be hanging, rarely opened and decorative. Ergo, drug store or apothecary show globe.
Beth
VintageAds4U
http://stores.ebay.com/vintageads4uonline?refid=store
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blueyes29
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posted on June 16, 2007 07:15:21 PM new
Thanks so much, Beth, for the lead...I've e-mailed Bob with my question and photos...Would sure be nice if this item really IS a vintage Show Globe...Can I (well...really, my sister) be so lucky? In the various sites I searched "Show Globe", didn't find any like this one but think there were many different varieties. Whatever the outcome, I'll post results of my inquiry here...Thanks again...you're terrific! I NEVER in a million years would have thought of a pharmacy/apothecary!
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blueyes29
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posted on June 18, 2007 03:58:30 PM new
Latest update...just heard from Bob Soderland of the Drug Store Museum...he said it "didn't look like any of the show globes in any of the old catalogues"...So, guess I'm back to square one in terms of what this item is...
Maybe my first inclination..."pretty glass hanging thingie" will have to suffice. So, aside from a show globe, does anyone else have any ideas/thoughts? Thanks all...
The Drug Store Museum site, by the way, is VERY informative and Bob answered my question very quickly...great site to visit and learn...Thanks again, Beth!
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 18, 2007 04:50:35 PM new
I have to tell you my first (and second and third) thought was: That thing is missing the brass chain. My fourth thought was: Where's the green shag carpet?
In the Sixties, maybe early Seventies hanging lamps very much like this (even though this is not a lamp) were all the rage. I believe this is purely decorative and has no function at all.
It's just so this-would-have-been-in-my-Mom's-house, you know?
fLufF
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roadsmith
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posted on June 18, 2007 05:25:06 PM new
I've had some good luck selling things-with-no-name by putting the word "mystery" in the title and asking anyone who knows what it is to tell me. People have been nice about that. Sometimes I find out before the auction ends and can revise the title and description to reflect the new information. (That is, if there are no bids yet.)
I've also been known to end the auction at that point and relist it by completely redoing the page.
Take comfort in the fact that the decorating powers that be have decided for all of us that blue is THE new color direction in decorating. Knowing that, if this item were mine, I'd hold off listing it until that color is firmly entrenched in the minds of those who care!
_____________________
There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
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otteropp
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posted on June 18, 2007 07:07:49 PM new
What a neat item!
I agree about listing items with 'mystery' in the title. There are some very nice and very knowledgeable people out there. I have done it several times and it is rather fun!
I usually revise my listings by putting something like "NEWSFLASH" in the description in RED and then say what I now know. Plus of course change the title and category if necessary.
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blueyes29
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posted on June 18, 2007 08:34:04 PM new
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions...Fluffy...know what you're talking about but those hangings had places on the side where the chains were attached. This item has only a metal loop at the top. This "whatever it is" really does have an older "look". I'll probably wait until the fall to list it to escape the summer selling doldrums. Thanks again all!
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LtRay
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posted on June 18, 2007 10:42:13 PM new
It reminds me of the moorish influenced hanging lamps you see in the old turkish and egyptian temples but if it were one of those it should have a vent on top. I would be in agreement with Fluffy as to it being simply decorative in nature and probably from the 1970's. Of course, it could just as easily be a recent import from Pier 1.
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vintageads4u
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posted on June 19, 2007 04:58:44 AM new
Darn! I was hoping you had a goodie. And you still might!
It is neat looking. I'm just trying to think of what would have a top that would open but rarely did and you could hang. Bath salts? Ashes of loved one? garden item?
Aw, the list is endless. Let us know when you list it in the Fall. Maybe the mystery will be solved. Good luck!
Beth
VintageAds4U
http://stores.ebay.com/vintageads4uonline?refid=store
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 19, 2007 06:04:21 AM new
I'm just trying to think of what would have a top that would open but rarely did
Most likely it's not so much a top and bottom as 2 pieces of glass blown into molds, then assembled.
As far as hanging it goes, that's what the loop on the top is for. You attach a long (maybe 6 to 8 feet) brass chain, pound two hooks into the ceiling, and drape it.
fLufF
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neglus
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posted on June 19, 2007 06:53:16 AM new
When I was 15 we moved to a house that was newish (built early/mid 1960's) - we only lived in the house for 6 months before moving to Minneapolis, but I vaguely remember a swag lighting arrangement (for lack of a better term) in one corner of the living room. There were a bunch of lights hanging from chains - maybe one of them was decorative? The carpet was about this color - can't remember the color of the lights but maybe.....pixia do you remember?
I do vividly remember that Mom had this wall arrangement that looked like a gilded roman fountain with wax grapes hanging out of it and I always wondered why anyone would want something so useless on their walls. (Mom ordinarily has very good taste - can't explain this lapse at all. I guess she was trying to be "modern" .
Perhaps this dates from the same period of useless decorative doo-dads?
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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pixiamom
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posted on June 19, 2007 09:22:05 AM new
Pretty sure the globes in our house were aqua - everything in the first floor was except my pink bedroom. I would date this globe to the 1960's. (Mom had a thing for fake fruit even before we moved into the new house. The grapes in the old house tasted awful!)
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 19, 2007 09:25:23 AM new
swag
Yes! That is the word I've been trying to remember for days now.
fLufF
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LtRay
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posted on June 19, 2007 01:04:29 PM new
Pixia and Neglus, you two are a hoot! Your comments took me down memory lane. My sister used to try and eat the fake grapes too. She never did quite catch the grasp <g>
Gold gilt roman fountains resplendent with waxed greenery. Yep had those too. Thank god her OCD kept her from purchasing the grecian oil fountain lamp swag. She decided that would be too messy and opted for the 4 ft white Murano table lamp with gold trim.
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