Rolling pins of blown glass were a token of fidelity and a kind of talisman made or, more often, purchased by sailors to remind a girl of her fiance or husband sailing on the high seas. They were often decorated with portraits of ships and rhymes.
This unusual, very thick pin in dark brown glass is one of the rare sailor made examples. Hand etched are the words, "Look Out For Squalls - Jack 1847". A hand points to the words to give emphasis, and the rest of the pin is covered all over with a variety of images: a steam-sail sidewheeler, a brig at sail, a sloop within what appears to be a larger ship's hull, the Union Jack, a signal flag, birds and decorative flourishes. In excellent condition.
