Whimsies
S Jersey glass

Owned By Jim Davies

Updated 12/10/2008

On these pages I will be showing some of the freeblown glass I own often referred to as Glasshouse whimsies or whimsey's.  Many of these are from south Jersey but not all of them.  I will be sure to identify those I can as to locations but unfortunately this can not always be done.  They are part of my personal collection.  If you have any questions or comments about any of them feel free to ask.

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Whimsey page 2

Whimsey page 3

Main glass page

Blown glass finger bowl blown in a rare shade of olive green. Open pontiled base. Circa late 19th, century blown at a South Jersey Glass house.  4 1/4" diameter by 2 1/2" high.

Both of these pieces are south Jersey.  They were blown by Louis Giacomelli.  According to photos I have seen he was still making his famous animals in 1974.  If any one know about this person please let me know. 

Whitney pitcher, 6 1/2" tall, 1840 to 1900.  Not always considered a whimsey but when this age and free-blown should be.  Obtained from a friend whose father bought it in Glassboro, N.J.

Most likiely SOUTH Jersey origin but not sure, slight chance ir could be from England.  From early 1800's, nice color and condition.  7" long, rough pontiled.

A free-blown gemel bottle, aqua color, from early 1800's, south Jersey origin.  These may have been used to hold oil and vinegar?  7 3/4" long.

For sale $125.00

A free-blown duck paperweight made at the L. E. Smith Glass Works in Penna.  From the 1960's I have been told workers made these and they were sold at the company store.

A jack in the pulpit, 9 1/2" tall, blown at the New Fislerville Glass Works.  One of the first pieces, from the first batch of glass, from the  new works just opened in Clayton, N.J.

Made out of clear bottle glass this little bottle was used to catch tears shed at a funeral.  It was then corked and kept as a keepsake.  No idea as to origin, probably from the early 1900's.

Three paperweights made at Kimble Glass  Vineland N.J. during the late 1940's or early 50's.  I have no idea as to the individual artist but he did nice work.

A witch ball, about 8" in diameter, blown at the New Fislerville Glass Works.  One of the first pieces, from the first batch of glass, from the  new works just opened in Clayton, N.J.

Possibly SJ but not sure.  A very colorful free standing pipe, 6 3/8" tall.

A heavy hammer made out of bottle glass.  Found in the Vineland area of NJ.  It is 12" long and the hammer end is 3 1/4" long by 2 1/4" in  diameter

A very unusual paperweight.  From the quality of the glass I would say early 1800's.  I took this to the American Glass Museum in Millville NJ to learn more about it.  The curator gave it back saying she had never seen one like it and could not supply any information on it or how it had been made.  Those that have seen it say the same thing, only one they have ever seen.

A free-blown reddish amber bottle glass hat. Very similar to Whitney glass.  I am sure it is an early south Jersey piece.  2 1/2" tall by 2 3/4" wide and 3 3/4" long.

A south Jersey hat but  more modern.  Blown by Ted Ramp at his backyard furnace around 1960, in Vineland N.J.  3" tall by 3 3/4" wide and 5 1/4" long.

An assortment of free-blown hats.  All of them have some age to them but I really can not say where they are from.  Old cobalt hats are hard to find.

Hard to tell by the photo but left one is cornflower blue.  The right one is odd because of the handle.  These were often used as candy dishes.  Most likely blown at Clevenger Brothers Glass Works in Clayton N.J. 1930's to 1940's

Even though found in SJ could have been made anywhere.  Solid glass and have an amber center stripe thru the middle.  Unusual pieces.  Ladle 12" stirrer 14"

A large, 11 3/4",  free-blown swan.  A beautiful shade of blue it does have a couple of amber streaks in the bottom so I believe it came from a single pot furnace in SJ, not one of the big glasshouses. 

A smaller , 8 1/4", free-blown swan again from a single pot furnace in SJ.  A great mix of colors including reddish amber and green.  Possibly early Clevenger

My collection of scent bottles, some possibly from Salem, NJ.  These bottles date from the late 1700's to the very early 1800's.  Some may also be from Stiegel's Manheim glass house.  I have seen articles on these scent bottles laying claim to both locations.    The individual style bottle on the left is most likely Salem.  The seahorse style bottles are normally attributed to Salem also.  Left one is 2 3/4" tall, the seahorses range from 2 3/8" to 3".

A very well made basket, light in weight.  Has been attributed to Emil Larson of Vineland NJ.  Probably made mid to late 1930's at his backyard furnace.

Main glass page

Whimsey page 2

Whimsey page 3

To contact me:

Phone: 856 881-9678
Cell: 609 247-6355
Email: jedavies@sjerseyglass.com
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