EAPG - Some Kind of Strange Shaker

Hello everyone! Now that I've got your attention . I bought this strange little shaker at auction yesterday. It stands about 3 7/8" high with the screw-on lid. The lid finial twists to create an opening up to about 1/2". It's a light shade of amethyst (may be sun purpled). I think the top is silver-plated but it is unmarked. It's a small for sugar shaker and wouldn't really work as a salt or pepper either. I searched for the pattern but couldn't turn it up. The closest I could find was Pillar Bull's Eye (Thistle) but there are too many differences. Any help regarding age, manufacturer, usage would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Don

 

How about a confectioners' sugar shaker? For cookies? Ever see "Flowers in the Attic"?
Wow... a ton of cute shakers... for talcum, salt-pepper, sugar, etc...

https://www.pinterest.com/lizzernator/salt-shakers/

Here's a sugar shaker... sorta close but not a match.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/382665299564494626/

 

Hi Gila - I read Flowers in the Attic many years ago in the early 80's but I haven't seen the movie. I'll research confections' sugar shaker and see what I can find. Thanks!
Don

 

It was a book?
So now you know I watch more movies than I read books!

Good luck!

 

Beyond tedious, but I have found a few I looked for - http://www.antiquesaltshakers2.com/agssscIDIntro.html

 

Thanks, Messilane! It's going to take awhile to go through that site but it looks very promising and a valuable addition! It's a shame they don't have a search function.
Don

 

If push comes to shove, I think you can ask them.
I also tried to find another top like yours, but nope - came up empty handed.

 

maybe check Fostoria 'Long Buttress'

 

I wonder if an object like this would ever have been used as an air freshener? Open when you want to release a perfumed scent and closed when you don't?

 

Thanks, Messilane, I may need to ask them. Sorry, Tallcakes, not "Long Buttress" - there are little elongated half bulls-eyes along the bottom. Interesting theory, Pat, I'll explore it. Thanks all!
Don

 

Don, please let us know what you find out.

 

Pat, you got me thinking... looking at the actual function of the top, and how it might serve. Seems to me that it would hold a liquid that would need to avoid spillage when closed, and when open, would be shaken into the hands, then used to groom or give fragrance to... hair? skin?
I take back my talcum/sugar ideas!
Maybe a dresser/bath/barber item? Less of a shaker and more of a dispenser?

 

Yup, possibly for a lotion.

 

it is often hard for me to make out the details from photos sometimes; but I'm fairly certain this is Riverside/National #519 'Inverted Eye' c1902. the detail of the bottom is the giveaway. it's possibly intended to be barber's bottle or a similar vanity item.

 

That's the pattern! Thank you, Tallcakes. This one was a bear to photograph - I need to find a better way to show the pattern details. Once again, thank you very much.
Don

 

Aha!
Mystery solved!
Way to go, Cakes!

 

Just bought a copy of Gorham's Riverside Glass book on eBay. Will let everyone know if I can find a catalog page in it that might name this little guy.
Don

 

I believe TallCakes has answered your quiestion,
Riverside/National #519 'Inverted Eye' c1902. (Cited from: https://www.antiquers.com/threads/eapg-some-kind-of-strange-shaker.6971/)

The Inverted Eye may be an AKA, but the Riverside/Natiohna # 519 is it's official name.

Oh, you mean it's use! Sorry.

 

A pounce pot for holding sand to shake on wet ink, part of a writing set?