This is a beautiful amethyst glass basket that would make a stunning accent to any table. It has a large round base that curves up gracefully into a scallop edged open basket. It is etched on each side with a pretty flower pattern and its handle has a twisted or braided rope appearance.
This piece started out its life as crystal clear glass. Beginning as early as 1820 and stopping sometime in the 1930s (with the majority being made between 1890-1920), small amounts of manganese dioxide was added during the glass making process. This was used as a “decolourizer” to offset the iron impurities and produce a perfectly clear glass. However, what they didn't know at the time was that with long term exposure to sunlight (ultra violet rays), the crystal clear glass began to change colour. Depending on the amount of manganese dioxide in the glass and the amount of sunlight exposure, the glass would change from clear, to light pink, to lavender, to a moderately dark outlet purple.
Hence, this glass is referred to by a number of names; amethyst glass, wisteria glass, lavender glass, sun coloured glass ... If this piece was left in a brightly sunlit room, it could continue to darken its shade of amethyst!
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Approximate measurements - 30.5 cm tall X 16 cm X 9.5 cm (12” X 6 1/4” X 3 3/4”)
Product code: Amethyst Glass Etched outlet Basket - Circa 1890-1920