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Posted 2 years ago
weirdstuff44
(5 items)
I bought this item at an auction 15 years ago and I haven't been able to determine what it is. I'm hoping someone out there can help me identify it.
It's a blue glass urn or container with raised white decorations on 3 sides. It measures 5" tall and has a silver cap. Shortly after I acquired it, I removed the silver cap which was sealed. It was quite difficult to remove and on the inside of the cap there's a moving part. I'm not sure what this moving part is, except my thoughts are a type pressure relief valve, but that's just a guess. What I found inside the container was a very strange substance. The best way I can describe it is, that it was like a black tobacco like substance. Is it possibly that this is a cremation or burial urn and the substance inside was cremation ashes?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide on this item.
TobaccianaTobacco became popular in Europe in the 1600's, after traders brought back …
Hello there,
I recently purchased an item almost identical to yours. The person I purchased it from had no idea what it was either, but I thought it would be a neat addition to my collection. After two hours on the internet I finally discovered what it is. It is a keepsake urn. Mine is exactly the same as yours, but the hand painted design is different. I found only one on the internet for sale, and it was priced at $50 US. I was happy because I paid $10 for mine. Mine has a small amount of a black substance in it as well. I'm assuming it's someone's ashes. Yikes!
Hope this helps!
Looks to me to be similar to a Mary Gregory type of painting. It is a style of painting with only white paint. But really, that means nothing. Good luck
Janese, Thanks for your post. I think I came across the same article online about the keepsake urn, though, I don't believe the article is correct. Since my posting here on Show and Tell, I have spoken with a very knowledgeable art glass collector and he was very familiar with this item and also with the blackish substance that was inside, which was very old tobacco. And that's because this beautiful little glass container with the silver cap is a "tobacco humidor". Thanks again for your note. ross