L.E. Smith Uranium Glass Flower Frog Large

SOLD
Large antique L.E. Smith Uranium glass flower frog was made in the 1920’s to 1930’s for assistance in flower arranging. The surface of the frog dome has little squiggly lines resembling hay. Made of Uranium glass which fluoresces bright glowing green under ultraviolet (black) light.

The glass was created with Uranium to produce green colored glass at a time before Uranium was used for weapons. US production of Uranium glass ceased during World War II due to the US government’s confiscation of uranium supplies, and did not resume until 1958. After 1958, most Uranium glass objects were small figurines or reproductions of earlier antique forms. Read more about Uranium Glass.

This L.E. Smith Uranium glass flower 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 bowl or vase if you’d like, as the rim will not prevent it, but it was specifically designed to float above the base of the vessel.

The L.E. Smith frog measures 4½” in diameter. The base is 4″ wide. Your flower vessel must have an 4″ wide opening for the frog to sit upon the rim. The frog has 16 holes. It is in perfect condition.

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.