Large antique Black Amethyst glass flower frog was made in the 1920’s to 1930’s for assistance in flower arranging. It’s color is called Black Amethyst. It looks black, but is actually a very dark purple glass. In days gone by glass makers used dense purple or red glass to create black looking glass because they did not have a recipe for pure black glass.
This frog was designed to sit upon the rim of your flower bowl or vase, allowing the flower stems to be inserted through the open holes reaching down into the water . It can be placed in the base of a large bowl if you’d like, as the rim will not prevent it.
If you plan to use it as a rim balanced flower frog, your vessel opening rim must measure 3 ¼” to 4″ wide. The total width (diameter) of the round frog is 4½” wide. The frog rim is ¹⁄8″ inch wide. Stands 1¾” tall. The dome will rise above the level of the rim 1″. The flower stem holes are punched through (the punched through areas on the base reveal the true color, purple, when held to the light).
It weighs a tad over 1 lb. It is in great condition with one tiny sliver chip on the edge of the rim (view in image 1), no liquid stains.
Most agree these helpful flower arranging tools were called ‘flower frogs’ because they sit in water, like a frog. Flower frogs became widely popular in the US during the early 1900’s for use in flower arranging. The form and function was replaced In the mid 1950’s by a water-absorbent foam, stopping the development of glass flower frogs.
Glass flower frogs of yesteryear are a better choice than modern foam as they are re-usable, sturdy, collectible and beautiful in their own way. Click here to learn how to use flower frogs.
Retro Art Glass has a wide variety of flower frogs available, including more made with Uranium, click here to view the selection.
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