Featured EAPG - Is This A Single Use Powder Dispenser?

Hello Board Buddies - I have a little jar that has me a bit puzzled. The top is unattached. At first I thought the top had just come loose and there would be a hinge that allowed for refill when the top was one. On closer examination, though, it doesn't look there is a way to refill the jar without prying the lid off and cementing the lid back on. Was this meant as a single use item to be discarded once it was empty? The jar is 4" tall with the lid on. Any help would be much appreciated.
Don

 

Hi Don, have you tried soaking that lid for a long time?? To loosen the cement and flake or chip it out?? To me it looks like it "should" unscrew near the top, but cement has gotten all the way up the inside......not sure I made myself clear......I just don't think it would be for single use.....it's beautiful BTW!!!!

 

Thank you, Aquitaine! I thought it might unscrew too but the neck of the bottle is not threaded and I don't see any signs of threading in the top? It does seem to be too pretty and have too much quality for a single use.
Don

 

I can't imagine it wasn't meant to be refilled. Will the cap now not stay put when replaced & whole turned upside down? It may not screw on, but maybe supposed to be tight enough to require a bit of effort to pull off? Is there something like a rubber gasket there, which may now be very hard?

 

Are you sure it is pressed?
Looks cut glass to me.
Zipper cut

 

Forgot to say, I love it, &, to my inexpert eye, it looks very high quality.

 

I thought pressed but it could be zipper cut. There are small marks in the metal - at some point I think someone took pliers to get the top off. The top will not stay on by itself now. If I turn it upside I have to hold the top in place. It seems to be built for a gasket. There's a flat area of some kind of hardened material in the top. If I scrape that area with a fingernail it flakes so it could probably be removed. I just noticed there are three notches in the neck. They are evenly spaced. I've added a picture of one of notches.

 

it's sweet !!!!

 

Point of information.
Its a two piece top. the bottom is supposed to be cemented (plaster of Paris) to the glass. The top unscrews from the bottom, or at least it did when new. Probably corroded now. soak it in half acetone, half automatic transmission fluid for a couple of days. (this is by far the best known penetrating fluid. )

 

Yes! That's it exactly.

 

that lid is a bit of a quandary... unless you can figure out a way to separate the pieces if it's made that way... maybe try soaking the plaster is water to soften and remove the plaster for closer inspection...

if I'm interpreting the image correctly it looks to be Fostoria #675 "Edgewood" c1898

http://www.eapgs.org/patterns/full-images.php?idx=46305&pat=696

 

I was going to say it looked like a zipper pattern too, but that is about all I can contribute. Nice find Don.

 

Great photos! Could the top be slightly out of round as well?

 

As always a wealth of knowledge and encouragement! Will try and get some of the plaster out and then try Cherryhill's suggestion. If I do get it un-assembled I'll repost the pictures. Can't thank you all enough!
Don