Antique Victorian Alum Bay Sand Bell Jar Paperweight C 1900 Isle of Wight

If like us you enjoy 19th century whimsies and curios, then this little pair will be for you. They are not only quirky yet functional but they have so much history and natural history behind them.

They are souvenir Sand filled bell jars made using the famous multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight is a small island off the south coast of Great Britain known for its mild climate, beaches and seafront promenades.

A young Queen Victoria spent childhood holidays on the island and became very fond of it. So much so that when she became queen, she made Osborne House, Isle of Wight her and Prince Albert's winter home. Subsequently, the island became a fashionable holiday resort for many, including Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Julia Margaret Cameron, and Charles Dickens (who wrote much of David Copperfield there).

These sand bells became popular souvenirs in the Victorian era, particularly after Queen Victoria was presented with similar sand gifts in 1860.

One sand bell shows the famous chalk stack formation called The Needles, the other slightly smaller bell shows a striped sand design. Both have the remains of their original base labels.

Size: 3 3/4 inch tall.

Condition: Good, the slightly smaller striped example has had clear tape placed over its original base label.

Item id:14697