On offer is a rare and beautiful Victorian clear glass penny lick, dating to the late 19th century. Made from thick, mould-blown clear glass and showcasing a distinctive shallow bowl atop a solid, cylindrical stem, this piece tells a compelling story of early street food culture. Whether you’re a collector or a lover of meaningful décor, this historic vessel offers a tactile link to the past — and a timeless presence in any interior.

Crafted with practical ingenuity and rich in social history, this ice cream glass served a clever function in its day, making it a perfect display piece, conversation starter, or teaching aid.

📌 KEY FEATURES

✅ Genuine clear glass – mould-blown in Victorian Britain
✅ Shallow bowl with thick conical sides – designed to appear full while holding little
✅ Maker: Mass-produced in late 1800s by British glasshouses for street vendors
✅ Condition: Excellent for age – light surface wear, minor trapped bubbles, slight scuffing to base, no cracks or chips
✅ Includes accurate measurements:
• Height: [You to provide]
• Width (rim or base): [You to provide]
✅ Rare example — especially clean and intact; harder to find in such preserved form

💡 STYLING TIP

This piece works beautifully in traditional, eclectic, or vintage-modern homes. Display it in a curio cabinet, use it as a conversation piece, or place it among antique culinary objects for an evocative vignette.

🎁 PERFECT FOR:

✔️ Lovers of soulful, meaningful decor
✔️ Collectors of Victorian or social-history antiques
✔️ A thoughtful gift for historians or food culture enthusiasts
✔️ Museum display, teaching props, or period set design

🔍 PROVENANCE / MAKER NOTES

These Victorian penny lick glasses were widely used by 19th-century street vendors to serve small portions of ice cream for one penny. Designed to be returned and reused, their thick glass base created the illusion of generous quantity while minimizing actual content. Due to hygiene concerns, particularly the spread of diseases like tuberculosis, penny licks were banned in London by the end of the 19th century — helping pave the way for the invention of the edible ice cream cone.

The example shown here is a textbook specimen: heavy glass, shallow bowl, pontil-style rough base typical of mould-blown production. Likely produced by anonymous British glassworks, as these were functional items made in large quantities.

Sources:
• Wikipedia – Penny Lick

• ScottishAntiques.com
• Antiques-Atlas

📏 MEASUREMENTS

• Height: [Please provide]
• Width (rim or base): [Please provide]
• Weight: [Optional, if known]

📦 SHIPPING & INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

We ship worldwide using tracked, insured services. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location — no surprises. All items are securely packed with care and experience.

📌 WHY IT MATTERS

This is more than an object — it’s a piece of lived history, captured in glass and form. Rare to find in such condition, and seldom offered with such clarity and provenance. Ideal for those who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and story.

stock code 310825