19th century sailor's love token glass rolling pin - Robert Butterworth of Smethwick

Usually referred to as sailor's love tokens these glass rolling pins, originally manufactured in Bristol were  often purchased by sailors for their sweethearts.   As these were hollow  they were sometimes used with a stopper to hold a vriety of contents such as spices, baking powder or cocoa powder. The tradition did move inland where in more rural areas tehse were given as wedding presents.  

This particular example has the giver's name,  Robert Butterworth, Smethwick.   The third letter of the date is difficult to decipher, it could be 1848 or 1868.

Often these were plain, either coloured or mundane plain glass, sometimes transfer printed  but this is a particularly nice example with the hand painted  hearts, name and dates.

Measuring: 39 cm long 

England mid 19th century.