Late 19th Century French Gourd-Shaped Soda Siphon w/ Mesh Cover - 14½"

A thick, mouth-blown double-gourd glass soda siphon with a nickel-plated brass lever top and curved spout, likely French, early 20th century. The clear blown glass body is enclosed in a protective iron wire net, the mesh drawn tight over the spheres and tied at the base, with a metal collar below the head showing faint stamped lettering. The surfaces present a pleasingly utilitarian character, with mellow patina on the mesh and traces of oxidation across the top. Soda siphons of this type became staples of café and bar service in France from the late 19th century onward, when carbonated water was mixed with spirits and apéritifs at table. The wirework jacket functioned as a safety shell for pressurized glass, a hallmark of bistro savoir-faire alongside nickel-plated fittings that resisted moisture. The compact, double-bulb profile improved grip and stability, while the thumb lever regulated a clean, narrow stream, aligning with the period’s emphasis on efficient, hygienic service in bustling brasseries. This piece reads as a sculptural accent for a bar or open kitchen shelf, where its industrial wire and silvery head add texture and a note of French bistro charm. Group it with other siphons, or let it stand alone on a console as a conversation object.