Vintage Glass Bowl with Mercury & Red Reverse Paint Exterior

Glass

 

Mercury silvering or 'fire gilding' is said to be a technique for applying a thin layer of precious metal such as silver or gold (mercury gilding) to a base metal object; this however is a glass bowl (rather than a base metal), with a cut or molded bottom with a layer of the distinct super-shiny silver along some areas, and covered in it's entirety with a deep crimson translucent (its actually a deep pink when held up to daylight) paint.

We are unsure of the exact technique to obtain this finish, but the shimmery liquid-silver appearance lends that fabulously glamorous sheen that mercury glass has.

Obtained from an antique shop close-out sale, we estimate this to be from at least the 1950s if not much, much earlier. Our lack of knowledge is your gain, however, as we are having difficulty finding additional information about this bowl.

This is heavy (2 pounds 11 ounces) and measures 10 and 5/8" across the scalloped rim; 5.5" across the base. It stands 3 and 1/16" tall.

We can find no seams (to indicate pressed glass) and did find two minute bubbles in the bottom glass (each less than 1/16" across). There are no chips or rough edges on the glass at all, however the paint has chipped away in places on the bottom side, and can be seen clear through when held up to daylight (please see all close-up pictures).

We think this is an amazing bowl; since it is glass, it probably could be used for serving, we however feel it is more suited as a graceful addition to a holiday display, perhaps with fresh evergreens and grouped with a collection of mercury candlesticks and/or other vintage decorations.

We also highly recommend NOT washing the exterior of the bowl as this could possibly loosen and perhaps further deteriorate the exquisite finish.

Item ID: GW-185