Antique Absinthe Topette from French Bar, Held 3 Doses

Antique blown glass topette with three rings from an old French bar. Each ring represented a dose, or one drink, of absinthe, which was diluted with water, often poured over a sugar cube, before drinking. The bar patron was charged for however many doses he or she consumed. This topette was hand blown in heavy lead glass, has a nice polished pontil on the bottom and also has some of the characteristics one finds in hand blown pieces. There is, for example, a bubble in the glass, which is not an indication of damage, but rather a minor defect that occurred in the making. This one is 4 5/8 inches tall and dates from about 1900 or earlier. It is a handsome collectible from the Belle Epoque.