Cookie jars commonly were found in American kitchens and old ones can be quite collectable. In Britain, “biscuits” is the preferred term and they are served at tea—and with a good deal more elegance than in America.
The Biscuit Barrel, shown above, is just-received from my most recent English buying trip. It dates from the English Arts & Crafts period and is crafted from vertically-ribbed, blown glass, not unlike early Powell or Whitefriars. The silver-plated hardware is adorned with a simple, polished bone knob.
Today, some of my customers use biscuit barrels as elegant ice buckets when entertaining.
More tomorrow…