Hand-Blown Glass Display Cloches, circa 19th Century

A beautiful and highly decorative pair of antique hand-blown glass display cloches, each individually formed and retaining the subtle irregularities characteristic of early hand-worked glass.

Although closely related in scale, the two cloches are distinct from one another, with slightly different silhouettes, proportions and variations in the glass. Each features a tall bell-shaped body with a gently flared base and a substantial applied glass knop at the crown. The glass has a wonderful pale aqua-grey cast, particularly visible along the thicker edges and handles.

Small bubbles, ripples, waviness and variations in thickness are visible throughout the glass, lending each cloche a wonderfully tactile, almost sculptural quality. These imperfections are part of their character and speak to the traditional glassmaking process rather than the uniformity of later machine-produced examples.

Originally intended as protective covers for specimens, objects or displays, antique glass cloches have become particularly desirable as decorative objects in their own right. They are especially effective placed over a small sculpture, botanical specimen, arrangement of curiosities or other treasured object—or simply displayed empty, where the beautiful irregularities of the glass can be fully appreciated.

The slight differences between the two make them especially appealing displayed together, giving the pair the feeling of pieces collected over time rather than a precisely matched set.

Sold as a pair.

Period: Antique
Materials: Hand-blown glass
Dimensions: Approximately 17” H × 10” D each
Condition: Good antique condition with variations, bubbles, waviness and other irregularities inherent to hand-blown glass. The two cloches differ slightly in form and proportion, as shown.