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ID #SA1156914
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Antique Maritime Glass Hour Glass
Sold by Opus Antiques
sold SA1156914
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Opus Antiques

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2014
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Antique Maritime Glass Hour Glass

18th century
Sold 4 August 2025 · Opus Antiques
This “Antique Maritime Glass Hour Glass” found a buyer.

It was listed by Opus Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This lovely antique hour glass timer consisted of  two glass bulbs, joined in the middle by a collar made from fabric/wax- these are the earliest forms where the glass bulbs are separate. One of the glass bulbs is filled with sand or similar enclosed in a wooden cage. It would be turned upside for the sand to flow through to the glass bulb at the bottom. One of the spindles is an old replacement. These spindles were for protecting the precious glass bulbs behind.

This one  from the mid to late 1700s  takes approx an hour to run through. They were often used by the Royal Navy up until 1839  and for marines as a dependable measure of time whilst at sea.

It has also been documented that these timers were used in the church pulpit for measuring the parsons sermon to ensure it did not overrun what a good idea.!!!!! 

It measures approx 17.5cm in height x 9cm w.

These timers were made in various sizes for different requirements but the usual length of time was an hour, half hour or 3-4 minutes.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Wood Hourglass to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1156914
Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description
This lovely antique hour glass timer consisted of  two glass bulbs, joined in the middle by a collar made from fabric/wax- these are the earliest forms where the glass bulbs are separate. One of the glass bulbs is filled with sand or similar enclosed in a wooden cage. It would be turned upside for the sand to flow through to the glass bulb at the bottom. One of the spindles is an old replacement. These spindles were for protecting the precious glass bulbs behind.

This one  from the mid to late 1700s  takes approx an hour to run through.

“
They were often used by the Royal Navy up until 1839  and for marines as a dependable measure of time whilst at sea.
Opus Antiques
fig 1. An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface.
fig 1. Antique Maritime Glass Hour Glass

It has also been documented that these timers were used in the church pulpit for measuring the parsons sermon to ensure it did not overrun what a good idea.!!!!! 

It measures approx 17.5cm in height x 9cm w.

These timers were made in various sizes for different requirements but the usual length of time was an hour, half hour or 3-4 minutes.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Wood Hourglass to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1156914
Opus Antiques
Opus Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2014

Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Opus Antiques Profile Page

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An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 6
Archive I An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Maritime Glass Hour Glass

Archive II An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. View II
Archive III An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. View III
Archive IV An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. View IV
Archive V An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. View V
Archive VI An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Opus Antiques

Opus Antiques
Telephone 07941 285 532
Location
North Devon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques
Verified Since Oct 2014
Items For Sale 99
Items Sold 2,403
Opus Antiques
Opus Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: North Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques
Verified
Oct 2014
For Sale
99
Sold
2,403
An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface.
Antique Maritime Glass Hour Glass
Ref: SA1156914
An antique wooden frame hourglass with blown glass bulbs filled with sand stands on a white surface.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Objects
  • Period18th century
  • StyleMaritime
  • MaterialWood, Glass, Sand
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsTurned wooden pillars, Circular wooden discs, Blown glass bulbs, Bound center neck

FAQs

Hourglasses, or marine sandglasses, were crucial instruments used historically aboard ships to measure time and determine longitude before the invention of the marine chronometer.

Authentic period sand timers were typically crafted using turned wood frames such as oak, walnut, or mahogany, enclosing hand-blown glass bulbs joined with string or wax, and filled with fine, dried sand.

Authentication relies on examining the characteristics of the glass, which often exhibits minor imperfections and bubbles from historical manufacturing methods, alongside the patina of the timber and the type of binding material at the waist.

Positioning the piece on a study desk, bookshelf, or mantelpiece adds textural interest and a historical focal point, blending seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary design schemes.

Preservation involves keeping the object out of direct sunlight to prevent timber fading, dusting the wooden frame gently with a dry cloth, and avoiding moisture exposure to protect the fragile glass and internal contents.
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