LINEN SMOOTHER

An incomplete Post-Medieval glass linen smoother dating from c.AD 1500-1850.

Description: The smoother survives as roughly half of the circular body of the smoother, with a domed smoothing surface and a concave reverse with central dimple where the handle would have been attached. The linen smoother is heavily affected by the glass deterioration manifesting in iridescence (the rainbow affect, dulling (loss of original colour) and a thick brown opaque weathering crust. The crust is heavily fracture and begriming to come away in many places leaving the surface flaky and revealing a very dark near black internal matrix.

Dimensions: 80.98mm long, 68.17mm wide, 43mm thick and 405g in weight.

Discussion: Glass linen smoothers are known to have been in use from the 10th century onward however the integral vertical handle is a feature more commonly seen in examples from the 16th century. The handled variety continued in use well in to the 19th century and after the introduction of flat metal irons (Roman Glassmakers, Undated). The handles could be plain, ribbed or with bulges to aid in gripping. The size of these objects also increases in the later periods. A small number of the handled types have been reported to the PAS database (e.g. IOW-013BE5, LANCUM-FF279C, BERK-9BCBC7 and IOW-02B941), although no complete examples are yet known a handles (LON-CF3234) has been reported. With James I banning wood furnace for glass production in 1615 black/very dark glass became very common and as such a date after that date might be relevant for this example.