Vintage Wednesday: What is it?

Here's another piece used by Victorians to set an elaborate table. Some say it was used as a symbol of hospitality, others say it was used as a status symbol. It can be confused with an open sugar, a sugar bottom, a celery vase or even a tumbler. It's called a spooner.

A spooner was used to hold silver spoons - which probably gave rise to the idea that it was a status symbol since some couldn't afford silver spoons. It seems that spooners were often sold as part of a breakfast set: creamer, sugar, butter dish and spooner. Spooners are generally 4 to 6 inches tall with a beaded or serrated top edge. Tumblers are usually shorter and narrower and celery vases are generally much taller.

Spooners can be made of glass, silver or other metals and even ceramics. The glass spooners can be found in Jadite, Flow Blue and even carnival glass.

I've also read that a spooner evolved from what's called a "spill holder." A spill, splint or taper was used to light stoves, candles or pipes in the 1700s and early 1800s. But as matches became more readily available, the spill holder evolved into the spooner for the Victorian table.

Whatever the history, I've enjoyed my little spooner as it now holds my most prized silver spoons. I especially like it because the swans make me want to Swoon....

Vintage Wednesday: What is it?

It's made of glass. It's full of holes. It sits at the bottom of a container. It holds flowers. What is it? It's called a frog!

Frogs can come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Sometimes art pottery vases came with matching frogs. I've seen several examples of Van Briggle pottery that include matching frogs. One is a basic tulip design, but one is a lovely Indian maiden gazing into a "pond" and the matching "frog" is what looks like a frog sitting on a lily pad - complete with holes for flowers!

I enjoy the variety of colors and sizes. I find that having a variety on hand comes in handy depending on the size of the arrangement. Although modern arrangements often utilize marbles, tape or even fruit to help stabilize the arrangement, I find these old-fashioned frogs to be just as handy.

You can often pick up frogs in antique shops, thrift stores, estate sales or even ebay. They're pretty easy to find and I often find them for $1 to $2 each. Examples like the green frog to the right are sometimes a little more expensive because of their collectability via another means - i.e., vaseline glass, depression glass or milk glass or as art pottery described above. They're weighty little things, which is actually good in helping keep your vase weighted so it won't tip over.

In all, it's worth owning one or two of these if you're a flower person like me!

*Click on the Van Briggle photo for photo credit!

Vintage Wednesday: Etched Ruby Bohemian Glass

I am by no means a glass expert. When looking at glass pieces, as with many other pieces, I look at the workmanship of the design more than the intrinsic value of the piece. Sometimes I'm lucky and design correlates with value, but I generally buy for decorative purposes. If it's pretty and goes with my home and the price is right, I'll pick it up!

That's how I found this piece. I've always been drawn to the etched glass with a ruby surface and clear etched design - not really knowing the history, but loving the look. We were searching out vases to use as table decorations for my wedding and we found this piece in an antique store on Main Street in Buckhannon, WV. I splurged for this piece - paid $35 when I was looking for things under $5 - but I have so enjoyed it in my home!

In doing a little research, it seems there was an artist in North Bohemia named Friedrich Egermann (1777-1864). He developed a glass staining and engraving technique that often incorporated shells, stags and chateaus. Today this glass is generally called Egermann glass and I believe this vase is an example of that style of work.

The glass is carefully stained with silver or copper at a high temperature to create the color layer. The glass is then cut or engraved - I've also seen this process called intaglio engraving, though again I'm no expert - and sometimes gilded with gold to create a sheen. I've seen variations in the examples of engraving, so look closely at a piece for the fineness of the design.

I'm still learning about this incredible process. I do know, however, that the end result is stunning and this vase full of red roses never fails to put a smile on my face. Thankfully, my husband appreciates this and feeds my whimsy.

Vintage Wednesday: Salt Cellars

Before we had salt shakers, there were salt cellars (usually with a lid) or open salts (without a lid). Salt cellars have evolved since the Middle Ages and have become a highly collectible table accessory. In the Middle Ages, the master salt cellar was usually placed at the middle of the table and your status was determined by whether you were seated above the salt (higher rank) or below the salt (lower rank).

I believe this evolved to setting the master salt at the head of the table in front of the host with seating determined by rank. In more modern times, individual salts have replaced one master salt cellar. I've seen differing accounts as to the etiquette of where individual salt cellars are placed and I believe this has evolved since older etiquette books have different accounts of where to place them. Older books say they should be placed "between covers" - i.e., between your dishes - with the salt spoon resting across the top of the cellar. Newer books say they should be placed above the plate or charger, but I've seen diagrams that also place them slightly to the left of center toward the bread plate.

Salt cellars are usually glass or ceramic because salt tends to pit silver. There are, however, silver salt cellars with cobalt liners that are lovely. Older master salts were even made in gold - such as Benvenuto Cellini’s Salt Cellar pictured to the right. Some were made to hang in the kitchen near the stove as the stoneware cellar pictured to the left that has a large lip at the back with which to hang it on the wall. I've also seen some made of ivory, some porcelain and some with a gold wash in the bowl. Some have an "S" engraved on them and others are simply labelled "salt" on the side!

Whatever your preference, salt cellars are a lovely collectible and an elegant addition to your formal table!