Pandora’s Biscuit Barrel

The English company, Sowerby, produced this stylish glass Art Deco biscuit barrel in the 1930’s.

John Sowerby established a glass manufacturing house in 1847 in Gateshead, England. By 1882 the factory had become the largest manufacturer of pressed glass in the country. The square angular shape of this piece is characteristic of the Art Deco style, and a kneeling Pandora from classical Greek mythology is depicted on each of the four side panels. She is kneeling in contemplation, about to open her famous box, which contained many evils. When they had all flown out into the world, the only thing remaining inside the box after Pandora had hastily closed the lid was hope.

My late parents bought the jar from a charity shop, and they did keep biscuits in it until they saw an identical one on an episode of “Bargain Hunt” and realised it was too old and valuable for everyday use. It is now a family heirloom, and I illuminate it with fairy lights inside, which I think is a fitting way to represent hope.