• Boston Silver Glass Co (1857-1871)
• Caster Set including Base, Tray, 5 Bottles, 1 Original Stopper and Handle
• Flint Glass with Mercury Painted Base, Grape Etch and Silver Handle
• Antique Flint Glass 1862
• Measurements: Stand - 5 1/4" base diameter, 8" tray outer diameter, 4 1/2" high to the top of the tray and 12" high assembled. Bottles - 4 3/4" to 6" high (Preserves, Cruet excluding stopper respectively), 1 3/8" bottom diameter and 2" outer diameter.
• Weight, prepackaged: 5 lbs 9.5 oz as a set
• Condition: Overall, the set is in great condition for it's age and the mercury silver paint is superb. The set was patented by AE Young (No 35799) of Dorchester, Massachusetts on July 1, 1862 and was created by Boston Silver Glass Co in both 5 and 6 bottle sets. The set is pretty rare and even more rare to find with bottles (sadly the set is missing 1). The piece is constructed in 4 parts; the base, tray, handle and bottles.
The base is high quality, blown glass in a funnel shape with mercury painted interior, silverplate collar and metal screw. The bottom edge has cut scallops. The exterior has a grapes, leaves and vines etch. The base has a chip, bruise and some tiny fleabites on the underside none visible while on display. They mercury silver paint is phenomenal with no marks or scratches. The collar is silver plate and in good condition and has patina as seen in the photos. The screw end is in fantastic condition with no damage.
The tray is pressed and has spaces for 6 bottles. It is designed to spin on the collar of the base. The underside is scalloped. The center is marked "Patented July 1, 1862". The glass is flint with exceptional clarity, great resonance and no notable flaws. The underside has 2 repaired chips, both well done with minimal impact to the scallops. The bottle spaces are free of damage including no fleabites on the inner rims. The center hole has some nicking and wear as expected, but no cracks or large chips.
There are only 5 bottles. One bottle (a vinegar\oil or shaker bottle) has been modified removing the neck which was likely damaged. The modification is exceptionally well done but has a modern replacement stopper. All the bottles are flint glass, with wonderful clarity and no notable flaws. They have hollow cut honeycomb necks, four petal flowers with rays between and dots on the bodies. The cruet has two cut tabs on the folded rim (one side of which has minor roughness). The stopper on the cruet is hollow centered with cut panels. The shoulder of one shaker has a flat chip. The interiors have no residue or mineral deposits. The bottoms may have some light detritus, most notably the modified bottle.
The handle is silver plate white metal. The plating looks complete with nice antique patina. The handle is not quite straight as seen in the photos.