Sculptural French Wire-Caged Soda Siphon circa 1890 - 15¼"

A late 19th-century French soda siphon of double-gourd form, its mouth-blown clear glass body encased in hexagonal iron mesh that traces the stacked globes and settles on a shallow circular foot. It is topped with a pewter head fitted with a curved spout and small thumb lever, a purposeful utilitarian silhouette that carries sculptural presence. The surface shows gentle clouding to the glass, oxidation to the mesh and head, and light abrasions consistent with age, lending the piece a softly nostalgic charm. Siphons of this type, known in France as siphons de seltz, were staples of Belle Époque and interwar cafés, used to dispense carbonated water for aperitifs and mixed drinks. The protective wire jacket was a practical innovation that contained the glass should pressure fail, a feature adopted by French and Belgian makers to meet the demands of bustling bistro service. The double-gourd silhouette adds rigidity and grip while the metal valve controls a measured flow, reflecting the period’s blend of artisanal glassblowing, simple engineering, and everyday savoir-faire. This piece lends character to a home bar or kitchen shelf, where its industrial romance pairs well with cut crystal, nickel trays, or vintage stemware. It reads as a sculptural accent on a console or open shelving, especially in loft, bistro-inspired, or eclectic interiors. Display singly as a conversation piece, or group with similar bottles for a sculptural arrangement that highlights their rhythmic forms and industrial elegance.