Large 19th Century Bristol Nailsea Blue Glass Mariners Rolling Pin.
 
Excellent large and early 19th Century Bristol Nailsea Blue Glass Mariners Rolling Pin decorated with seven painted transfer motifs, verses and endearments in gold, green and red. 
 
Glass rolling pins were often given as love tokens or gifts by sailors to their wives and girlfriends. They were colorfully decorated with sailing motifs and words of endearment or a date.
 
There are 7 painted transfer designs in total depicting ‘THE GREAT AUSTRALIA CLIPPER-SHIP’ in full sail, 'The Sunderland Bridge' over the river Tyne, 'Forget Me Not', 'The Loss of gold is great, The loss of time is more....', 'The Sailor's Farewell' interspersed with two floral bouquets.
 
There is a knob at one end and on the other end is an opening for a cork where the rolling pin was detached from the pontil during manufacture.  These rolling pins were often filled with salt, sugar or rice and would have been hung on a cord in the kitchen or by a fire to keep the contents dry.
 
Size: 79cm wide x 7cm diameter.
 
Date: circa 1850.
 
Condition: In excellent original condition with minor wear to transfers.