Mystery in Glass: Could You Identify This Strange Antique?
October 22, 2024
source: Reddit
When I bought my new home I was prepared for the expected — dusty corners, a little touch-up paint, perhaps a sock trapped behind the dryer. But I didn’t see this coming: a sweet vintage glass vessel of orange liquid languishing in the back of a kitchen cabinet, a true mystery in glass.
It’s about seven inches tall, fragile, and looks like a perfume bottle — long neck, bulbous base. The liquid inside? Bright orange. Moves like water. Doesn’t jiggle when you shake it. Tape is tight, no smell, no label, no idea. A mystery in glass indeed.
So… What Is This Thing?
I assumed it was a bottle of perfume. The shape fits, and it looks like something you’d spot on an old vanity. But there’s no cap, no sprayer, just one solid, sealed piece.
Then I imagined that it was religious. Like a holy water ampoule. Perhaps the previous owner had saved it as a memento. Mystery in glass continues with these intriguing possibilities.
There was something about its shape that also harked back to old-timey oil lamps. The sort you’d see burning bright in old movies. But this one’s wickless. If it’s a lamp, it is for decorative purposes only.
Ring Holder? Paperweight? Just Art?
A blown glass ring holder, one friend proposed. That long, skinny top might be ideal for rings. But the liquid takes a twist — it could have even been intended to catch the sun and sparkle.
Could be a paperweight. It’s elegant enough. But to be honest I think it’s a bit too lightweight for the task. Decorative more than anything.
It’s clearly handmade. You can see it by the bubbles in the glass, and the little imperfections. Probably blown glass. Somebody gave a damn about how this thing looked, adding to the mystery in glass.
What I’m Doing With It
Currently, it resides on my windowsill. It glows in the sunlight, and confounds everyone who visits. People always say, ‘What’s that?’ And I say, “No idea. Cool though, right?”
Maybe that’s enough. Not everything needs a reason. Some things just may be interesting.
Final Thoughts
This tiny enigmatic bottle could be a perfume bottle, a religious memento, or a decorative object that has no function at all. But it’s mine now. And each time I see it, I am slightly more curious, slightly more connected to whoever dropped it. The mystery in glass remains unsolved.
Ever find something like this? Give me a shout – I’d love to hear about it.