Copper? Bud Vase

[CuriousCollector]

Another item from FIL's storage unit.  I haven't touched this one at all, not even with a wet paper towel!  Looks like a bud vase.  The glass part is marked Pyrex.  I see no markings on the rest of it.

[mariok54]

It's almost definitely copper with the way its oxidised. If the glass is Pyrex then it'll be no earlier than the 1920s or thereabouts... can't quite recall when Pyrex was first introduced.
But is it possible that the glass is not original? I would have expected a fluted shape... but maybe one of the others can put me right there. From the pics it almost looks as if someone may have replaced it with a test tube    But it is hard to tell.
I wouldn't give it too much of a clean, the oxidisation or I suppose you could even call it 'patina' adds to its charm.

[CuriousCollector]

The glass looks exactly like a test tube, and is loose, so I agree that it is probably a replacement.

Thanks!

[mariok54]

People can be very enterprising, when they have to be.
And according to the Bard ....'That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet, even in a test tube.'   

[KC]

My first impression as well...is that it is a bud vase with a replacement glass part.

Manufactured in the United States since 1915. http://www.pyrexware.com/thetruthaboutpyrex/manu.htm

Interesting trivia on how the Pyrex name came about.....
"A Corning executive gave the following account of the etymology of the Pyrex brand name.  The word PYREX is probably a purely arbitrary word which was devised in 1915 as a trade-mark for products manufactured and sold by Corning Glass Works. While some people have thought that it was made up from the Greek pyr and the Latin rex we have always taken the position that no graduate of Harvard would be guilty of such a classical hybrid. Actually, we had a number of prior trade-marks ending in the letters ex. One of the first commercial products to be sold under the new mark was a pie plate and in the interests of euphonism the letter r was inserted between pie and ex and the whole thing condensed to PYREX."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrex

[wendy177]

Found this little guy   http://cgi.ebay.com/Chippewa-Copper-holder-and-glass-vase-/360313707039?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item53e45eda1f

[mariok54]

Good point, Wendy, that had also crossed my mind .. but foolishly I was still thinking it lacked a handle !!!!

[wendy177]

Changed my post when I found several similar .     But arts & crafts chamberstick with the piece circling the glass as a handle was my first thought.

[mariok54]

Well found ....
I hate to say it, but it still looks like a test tube stuck in a candle holder ... I can't seem to shake that thought!!   

[wendy177]

Me too!!!!!

[KC]

Gotta admit, resourceful use of test tubes!

[CuriousCollector]

I'd probably like it better as a candle holder!  But it looks like the kind of thing my FIL's people would do.  They didn't throw away ANYTHING!  I mean.....seriously.   I found newspapers about the Lindberg baby kidnapping!

So, what's the consensus? -- should I try to clean the copper?  The oxidation on the....er...."handle" is actually quite chunky.

[ironlord1963]

My vote would be no, Has much character as is 

[KC]

Agree with Ironlord.

The newspaper might be worth a little $$$$!