Lately I’ve had a bit of an obsession with battery jars.  These interesting glass jars were used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to hold ‘wet’ cell batteries.  Battery technology at that time was limited to bits of metal submerged in a mild acidic or alkaline solution.  The resulting chemical reaction created a mild electrical current, which was handily used to power telephone and telegraph equipment, and even to start early car motors.  Glass was the cheapest and best material available to hold the battery and not be dissolved by the acid.  Thus: the battery jar!

Battery advertisement from 1883

This one in particular caught my eye because of its unusually large size and the trapped air bubbles in the glass.  I realized the soft etching on the interior of the jar from the acid would perfectly diffuse light, and I added a string of blue LED ‘fairy’ lights to create a lantern.  Just nestle it in some garlands and pine cones to make a lovely and unusual glowing centerpiece for a holiday table!  Cheers.