Not Miscellaneous!

Antique Make Do Pressed Glass Syrup Pitcher with Tin Top & Handle Collection of Robert Thayer
  • Today I'm listing a collection of make do items from the Collection of the late Robert Thayer and some from my collection.  I buy make do items because of my love of make do--I would not necessarily acquire a piece of porcelain or glass serving piece without the make do because they are not usually in my area of interest.  And I warn you up front, that I'm in the fast and furious listing stage of presenting things for your holiday shopping, so photos have been taken and edited quickly and descriptions will be shorter than usual with less research done.  Ask questions if I've forgotten to tell you something about condition and please share information about these porcelain items because I just don't have time to research and porcelain is not my strong point.  If I research it, the price will have to go up......please share knowledge that you have.

    I've always loved the early repaired pieces that show us how precious things were to our ancestors.  We are always accused of being a throw-away society (and I agree with that accusation) but the ultimate in green living is to waste not, want not.  When something broke, our ancestors fixed it or repurposed it into something usable.

    I love this colorless pressed glass syrup pitcher with the make do tip top and handle.  The handle is held in place with a tin strap across the bottom of the pitcher as well as being soldered into the tin top.  The top is wonderfully fashioned with a pin hinge and a very appropriate shape.  The broken glass handle has left a large glass knob at the bottom and caused a break in the rim of the pitcher at the back.  No matter, the syrup could pour notwithstanding the hole, so the creative repair just ignored it--it is mostly camouflaged by the tin handle anyway.  I don't know the pattern of the glass, but if one of you does, please share that info with us.  7 1/2" tall x 5 1/2" at the widest point.

    (#5585)    Sold

    Provenance:  Collection of the late Robert Thayer

    References for Make Do:

    Baseman, Andrew, "Past Imperfect: the art of inventive repair", http://andrewbaseman.com/blog/

    Naetzker, Donald P., Waste Not Want Not: The Art of the Make-Do, (self published) 1986.