Elaborate, colourless trick glass incorporating two hollow compartments shaped as horned animals. Probably Bohemia, 1675-1750

Elaborate trick glass, colourless glass with strong manganese-purple tint, incorporating two hollow compartments shaped as horned animals above an ornate stem and a shallow drinking bowl at the top. Each of the two animal-shaped bottles has a filling spout on its back and an open mouth, facing the drinking bowl. There are two folds or dents in the side of the drinking bowl. Positioned at either side of the drinker's mouth, these help to prevent excessive spilling of the content while drinking from it.
This vessel was made in four different parts, joined together by the glassmaker with molten glass 'glue-bits'. The parts are: the foot with hollow lower stem; the solid glass branch above it, with two flowers; the two joined animal flasks; and the drinking bowl. Each of these parts has a separate pontil mark.

Given by Mr. John Desmond

This trick-glass was featured on the BBC Antiques Roadshow twice, as well as on the BBC Antiques Roadshow Christmas Special, BBC one, 29th December 2013.
At the Antiques Roadshow recorded at the Chepstow Racecourse in Wales and broadcast on 5th May 2013, it was identified by the glass expert Andy McConnell as an oil lamp.

This is a so called trick-glass, used for drinking 'games'. The two compartments of this glass can be filled with two different liquids. When the glass is picked up and tilted towards the user, the mouths of the two animals pour the liquids into the shallow bowl at the top. The user needs to drink from the bowl very quickly to keep up with the flow of the liquids and spilling is almost inevitable. However, if the drinker knows how to operate the glass, he can regulate the flow by covering and gently un-covering the two spouts on the backs of the animals. The vacuum created will ensure that the liquids flows much slower.
It is likely that the two flasks were filled with red wine and water, as red wine was rarely drunk without diluting it.

This is a so called trick-glass, used for drinking 'games'. The two compartments of this glass can be filled with two different liquids. When the glass is picked up and tilted towards the user, the mouths of the two animals pour the liquids into the shallow bowl at the top. The user needs to drink from the bowl very quickly to keep up with the flow of the liquids and spilling is almost inevitable. However, if the drinker knows how to operate the glass, he can regulate the flow by covering and gently un-covering the two spouts on the backs of the animals. The vacuum created will ensure that the liquids flows much slower.
It is likely that the two flasks were filled with red wine and water, as red wine was rarely drunk without diluting it.

C.9-2012