Traces of Prohibition

I found this black piece of sea glass right here on the shore in Sorrento. Black sea glass is relatively rare, but was used extensively in the days of rum-running, to hold liquor transported by boats from Prince Edward Island, the first province in Canada to have the Prohibition Act in 1901.

To illustrate the color of this rare black glass, here it is next to the more commonly found beer bottle glass. If you were to hold the rare black glass up to a light source, it will actually look dark green or amber in color though.

Tonight, I'm having a little fun displaying this piece of black sea glass near my newly purchased cordial glasses.

I'm having fun because my good friend Diane just gave me a recipe for making Raspberry Cordial. It calls for a 5th of vodka (100 proof is best), a pint of raspberries and 2 cups of sugar.

Here's the bottle I plan to keep the finished product in. I think the ceramic stopper and contrasting gasket will go nicely with the vibrant color of the cordial.

The recipe says to just add the raspberries to a 3 quart loosely covered container.

Pour in the sugar and the 100 proof vodka.

Stir, cover and place in a cool dark place. Every week for the next 2 months, open the jar and stir the cordial. Strain the finished cordial through a very fine sieve and decant into a lovely bottle. Here's a link to some more information on making this raspberry cordial.

Interestingly enough, our town Sorrento was founded by the famous Portsmouth, NH brewer, Frank Jones. After he died, in 1902, an active member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, acquired his grand cottage and had it torn down, so there would be no trace left of this "King of the Alemakers." Someday, I hope to find a piece of sea glass that was once part of a bottle of Frank Jones Ale. But until then I have to wonder, if indeed, there may be no trace of him left.

ROMANTIC SEA GLASS

The frosty multi colored hues of sea glass or mermaid tears

often hold a romantic connection to the past.

Collecting sea glass can provide a peak into the history of an area. I found this piece near the old steamer wharf in Sorrento, where in the late 1800's steamships made routine trips in the summer months from Boston and nearby Bar Harbor. Perhaps this glass button was lost from the garment of a Victorian lady during her time spent here.

This appears to be a gemstone from the setting of a ring, forever lost to the sea by its former owner.

These rare and hard to find pieces of black sea glass were also found in Sorrento. When held up to the light they have a translucent greenish glow.

We are often inspired to use seaglass in our art.

Here is a closeup shot of a piece of seaglass that has been fired into the bottom of a pottery bowl.

This shows the beginning layout of a piece combining seaglass with a few of our raku fish.

And here is a closeup of what I made today. Pieces that were once part of a bottle of beer.

I have wrapped the pieces in silver wire and strung them together onto a recycled lamp that provides a soft amber glow.

Perfect to reflect upon my connection to those so long ago, whose hands may have once touched the bottle that brought me these remnants from the past.