A rare antique clipper ships weather glass or water barometer, they are also sometimes referred to as a Cape Cod glass or storm glass. This item was used to detect changes in the atmospheric pressure, a low pressure caused the level in the glass to fall and the neck level to rise indicating an imminent storm. A drop or fall in the glass level was known as a "falling glass" and was an indication of impending storms. The term "falling glass" is referred to in many factual stories about sailing ships and even features in traditional Sea Shanties: Chorus from the pumping shanty STRIKE THE BELL - "Strike the bell, second mate, Let us go below, Look away to windward, You can see it's going to blow, Look at the glass, You can see that it has fell, We wish that you would hurry up, And strike, strike the bell "

The hanging eye is worn from being hung and the back of the glass has wear marks where it has swung with the motion of the ship. The rear of the weather glass is etched with a picture of a Clipper Ship and the words SA CLIPPER SHIP, WEATHER GLASS, GERMANY. These items were hand blown and date to around late 1800's. 

Height: 20cm / 8 inches.