Antique Japanese glass fishing floats
Ranked #3,250 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #37,012 overall
History of glass floats
Glass floats have been used in the fishing industry since the 1840s to support fishing nets while in use. These floats would often break loose from the nets and drift around in the ocean until coming ashore many years later. Early floats were hand-blown by glassblowers using recycled glass. They are frequently marked with their maker's trademark on the pontil. The glass of authentic floats is thick to enable survival during heavy usage. Floats are commonly spherical, but other rarer shapes such as tube rollers and double floats have been found.
The world through a glass float
Glass fishing float colours
The common colour for glass floats is a light sea green due to the recycled sake bottles using in the crafting process. However, other colours include amber, clear, cobalt, violet, and red (very rare) are sometimes found.
Floats of unusual colour that show no signs of wear are likely reproductions, so buyers beware if you did not collect the float yourself.
Glass floats for sale
Fishing floats with netting
Glass roller floats
Double glass floats
Reproduction glass fishing floats
Glass float books on Amazon
Glass float links
- Japanese Glass Floats
- Collector of glass floats.
Thanks for visiting!
Did you enjoy reading this lens? Would you like to leave some feedback, or just make a suggestion? I'm always glad to hear what more you'd like to see here!
-
-
cffutah
Feb 18, 2012 @ 7:47 am | delete
- Haven't seen these before, so pretty indeed, great write up.
-
-
-
jsr54
Aug 1, 2011 @ 3:02 pm | delete
- Just picked up my first glass float at an antique store. It is on display in a garden bed near my pool. Thanks for the info.
-
-
-
karmicchristian
Jul 17, 2011 @ 1:21 pm | delete
- Hope floats! Never realized about 'glass floats'! Wonderfully well done. :)
-
-
-
garyr_h
Mar 31, 2011 @ 1:51 am | delete
- Very beautiful. I've never heard of glass fishing floats before.
-
-
-
SereneSea Mar 31, 2011 @ 12:10 am | delete
- I am reading about glass-floats for the first time, an interesting read while I wonder at the same time, what is its use.
-
- Load More
by tealmermaid
I'm a 30-ish stay at home mom who likes costuming, weird kitsch stuff, world cultures, and gluten-free cooking. Check out my lensography to see my... more »
- 115 featured lenses
- Winner of 25 trophies!
- Top lens » Mermaid tails, costume, and cosplay ideas
Explore related pages
- Antique sailors valentines -- sea shells crafts Antique sailors valentines -- sea shells crafts
- Sand collection -- basics of the hobby Sand collection -- basics of the hobby
- Collecting genuine sea glass -- trash to treasures Collecting genuine sea glass -- trash to treasures
- Flippant tails: mermaid myths, legends, and folklore Flippant tails: mermaid myths, legends, and folklore
- Mermaid tails, costume, and cosplay ideas Mermaid tails, costume, and cosplay ideas
- Free printable beautiful mermaid coloring pages Free printable beautiful mermaid coloring pages
