Double Crossroads Shaker
Comments by Bob Bruce
This page was created because of recent interest in this shaker. It first appeared in Peterson. Later the same shaker was pictured in Lechner Book 2. But to our knowledge it has escaped all other literature on pattern glass. The design, however, makes one think it could be pattern glass. We had noticed variations in the design which are shown here. Along with many other questions one has regarding Victorian glassware, one wonders “why?” Was the design changed slightly to avoid a patent? Or, was the design change just a result of newer molds with improvements? But then, if it is not pattern glass, why all of the trouble? The shaker is 3 1/8 in high without cover (cover may or may not be original ). It is square, about 1 1/4 in. It is known in vaseline, amber and blue. Probably also issued in clear. Peterson stated that there were five diamonds at the crossroads. We only count four but given that the four also make a diamond we will assume that that is what Peterson meant.
After reading this article, you may want to turn to the picture in “Carnival Colors” under “The Pioneer” section to see a pair of purple carnival glass double crossroads shakers.
“Double Crossroads” Salt Shaker
shown in, and named by Peterson, page 26,
with additional closeups of the pattern detail.
This is Variant 1 of the Double Crossroads Salt Shaker.
Note the very subtle change in the base area design –
the Variant has a fan base whereas the original named
has a complex geometric design.
