Antique (late 1800s-early 1900s) Gravity Flow Embalming Funnel. This heavy glass cylinder would have been suspended over the embalming table by means of into a metal ring with a bail hanger, and a tube placed in the narrow opening to allow the mortician to pour the embalming fluid directly into the veins of the deceased without need for a pump.

The glass is very thick, with a few imperfections due to age or wear. As the photos show, there is a crease near the narrow end which appears to be a manufacturing flaw, and a slight scratch near the wide end. The scratch is very shallow and does not affect the structure. The circular bubble shown is within the glass and presumably was the maximum fill level marker.

Regardless of its intended function, this is a unique and beautiful object which could be displayed on its own, or (for example) used as a cloche over a tender houseplant.