Featured Small, Heavy, Sterling and Glass Container?

Ooops. Sorry. I found it. Toothpick holder. Ignore this please.

I thought this was a candle holder at first, but I'm not getting anywhere with a search for something this small and heavy. It is 3 inches tall and 2.25 inches in diameter and it weighs almost 1/2 a pound! The only marking I could find is STERLING. No maker mark that I could find. It is quite pretty with its bulbous middle and sterling top and bottom. It's a complete mystery to me. What do you think it is for? When was it made? Who might make it? Any ideas welcome.

 

Cigarette urn, mid 20th century...

~Cheryl

 

Here's one similar in a 1957 department store ad:




~Cheryl

 

that small size may be a toothpick holder; similar to Whiting

whiting toothpick beaded silver glass - page 1 | WorthPoint

or possibly match holder

Vintage Glass Sterling Coasters Ashtrays Cigarette Toothpick Holders Whiting 6 P | #3777583760 (worthpoint.com)

 

A different style, but this one is smaller than Kiko's and it comes with the original box which says "Cigarette Urn":

https://www.etsy.com/listing/529190...llery-1-39&pro=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

 

My grandmother had one. She used it for toothpicks.

 

I have a similar one. The seller told me it was for toothpicks, but it's a smidge too large for toothpicks.
Now I know it's a cigarette urn! Thanks all!

 

I have some of the round crystal and sterling pieces, too. I always thought they were coasters. But now I'm seeing them described as ashtrays. Shouldn't ashtrays have an indent for the cigarette?
(This photo below is the one that TallCakes posted but mine are similar)

 

We had those too, but I don't think I ever saw them in use.

 

I always thought they were coasters too!

Debora

 

If they don't, the cigarette would fall off the side.

 

Fabulous. So all those folks were wrong! You are truly a treasure of knowledge. Now I'm glad I posted this. So you put cigarettes in it or do you use it to it put cigarettes out?

 

Interesting. While I didn't find the Worthpoint site, I did find a number of sites calling it a toothpick holder. I always list some sizes on my posts here because size is important in making a determination. But now I am unsure what to think because this could be an error that is repeated by those who want to do a quick and dirty sales post.

The saucers point to ashtray use to allow people to put out their cigarettes. Back in the day, when people used cigarette holders or just let cigarettes stay in their hands, ashtrays may not have been equipped with slots.

Thank you for the extensive references.

 

You put cigarettes in it. My parents had one as part of a smoking set. Back in the 40s and 50s, cigarettes were smaller because they had no filters on them. They came in soft packs and when entertaining you put them in a cigarette urn in case someone wants one. Now with the outrageous cost of cigarettes (with all the cancer taxes), you would likely not share your smokes with anyone, LOL.

 

Great spotting. I see how this shape would allow for cigarettes to be lined up without falling out, if one was removed. Thank you.

 

I think the round things were intended either as ashtrays or coasters, your choice. With almost everyone smoking back then, people would walk around with an "individual" ashtray in their hands. My parents had a silent butler to dump all the individuals into.

 

After cigarettes went out of favor, perhaps that's what it ended up being used for. Marketing anything related to cigarettes nowadays might be a problem. People don't understand repurpose like your grandmother.

 

I was shocked when I got up this morning to see all the responses to my post. This is why this forum is so fabulous. Another misconception trounced.

 

Yes, and you always have such interesting things to show everyone! I'm still thinking about your EAPG Syrup. Happy I got to see it.

 

People didn't put down their cigarettes like they did later. If you look at old movies, they didn't put their cigarettes down. Cigarettes just were smoked and held. Also fashion at one time called for people to use cigarette holders. What was always the issue was the ash. I suppose polite party behavior was to put your ash in one of these.