Humour, variety and joy in his skill show in the glassmaker’s novelty pieces, made to please only himself.

Troe friggers, with the occasional exception, have no useful purpose. They are one-off curiosities, made by glass-makers in their spare time to relieve the humdrum work of producing standard commercial articles over and over again.

They were made in Britain from the 18th century, but most of those found today date from the loth and early loth centuries. The commonest shapes are walking sticks, rolling pins, trumpets and hats. But almost anything may be depicted, including bellows, balls and animals — most often pigs and swans.

Antique Collection

Friggers are often described as products of the Nailsea glassworks near Bristol, and no doubt many were made there. But in fact they were made everywhere, and since few bear any mark it is difficult to attribute them to a source. They are also difficult to date: swans and pigs are still occasionally made by glass- makers in the Stourbridge district and are virtually identical to older items.

Some friggers were blown as gifts and some as souvenirs for exhibitions. Others were made as proof of the glassmaker’s skill, and would be carried in one of the processions that occurred in all Britain’s glassmaking districts in the 18th and 10th centuries.

Although most friggers were blown and shaped from the furnace, others were created by lampwork — shaping glass rods over a flame. Major glassworks had a resident lampworker for small pieces, and he might produce friggers, but it was more often travelling craftsmen who used the lamp. Sailing ships were the most popular subject, followed closely by birds of paradise in fountain settings; such pieces sell today for £150-£600.

By the late loth and early 20th centuries, sweets for children were being sold in pressed glass friggers; collectors can pick these up for as little as £20-£50. Various unusual objects, such as smoothers, flycatchers, cucumber straighteners and grape ripeners, are sometimes bracketed with friggers. But although obsolete, these were once for use and are therefore disqualified as true friggers.

Friggers make good collectors’ items, as they are both varied and attractive. You can begin a collection quite cheaply: simple items sell for as little as £5-£20. More unusual or complicated pieces range from £75 to £150, while specialists will pay up to £600 for an intricate scene such as a rigged ship with crew or a foxhunting scene with hounds.

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Humour, Variety and Joy Friggers