Antique Victorian Silver Crystal Hair Receiver Jar Vanity 1915 ABP

The base is a beautifully executed piece of American Brilliant Period (ABP) cut glass, dating roughly between 1876 and 1916.  The design features a classic hobstar or radiant starburst motif deeply cut into the bottom, surrounded by geometric fan and diamond wedge cuts along the walls. The crisp, sharp edges visible in the facets indicate this is genuine hand-cut crystal with a high lead content rather than molded press-glass, which typically has rounded, smooth edges.  From the mid-19th century through the 1920s, women used them to save shed hair from brushes to stuff pincushions or fashion into volume-boosting hair rats. Hairstyling Padding: saved hair was primarily teased and rolled into hair pads or rats to support massive Edwardian and Victorian updos. Pincushion Stuffing: Collected hair contained natural oils that helped lubricate sewing needles and prevent rust when stuffed into small pincushions. Vanity Sets: They were standard pieces on dressing tables, often matching a powder jar, hatpin holder, and hand mirror. ***See my other listing for a matching POWDER JAR!