Enamel Salamander Vase by Moser or Harrach

• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Harrach Glass - The Harrach glass factory is located in Harrachov, a small town in what was Northern Bohemia, but is now the Czech Republic, near the Polish border. It has been producing glass since 1712, with peak production in the 1850s. In the 19th century, their output was so widely regarded that a large part of their business was selling glass blanks (undecorated glass) to other major Bohemian glass manufacturers.
• Ewer / Pitcher - A type of jug with a narrow neck bulbous body and wide spout, originally used for carrying and storing liquids such as water or wine. In medieval times they were the source of water to wash ones hands during and after a meal. later the shape was used for vessels in silver, gold, glass and ceramics.
  
  In Victorian times they were made in ceramics and occasionally glass with a matching basin, and sometimes other accessories such as a soap holder or toothbrush holder. Their purpose was to provide facilities for personal washing In the early 19th century were often enclosed in purpose built stands, and later resided on a washstand..
  
  Sometimes the words "ewer" and "pitcher" are used interchangably, but a pitcher is generally considered to be a jug, and would have a wide mouth, and a gently tapering body.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Bohemian (Czech Republic) glass wares
  • various wares 458
  • vases 237
• Moser A. S. (Czech Republic) - glass makers 222