English Victorian Sherlock Holmes Era Seltzogenes Gasogene Seltzer Dispenser

Description

Nineteenth Century Glassware
Standard English Seltzogenes
The British Syphon MFG. Co.
London England
For the Sherlock Holmes aficionados, we offer a late Victorian gasogene as mentioned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in "A Scandal in Bohemia" when Watson visited Sherlock Holmes' residence at 221B Baker Street. "With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eye, (Holmes) waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner."
For high-living Victorians, the gasogene was a piece of barware, a gadget producing carbonated water for mixing with whiskey.
Known as a gasogene, gazogene, or seltzogene, the gasogene is a Victorian device used to create carbonated water, sparkling wines, lemonades and other sweet drinks. They provided an at-home solution for creating seltzer.
In order to use the gasogene, the bottom globe was filled with water or any other beverage the user wished to carbonate, and a small amount of tartaric acid and bi-carbonate of soda was added to the second smaller globe. The device was then gently tipped on its side so that a small amount of liquid from the bottom globe would pour into the upper chamber. This would then start a chemical reaction where the acid and soda would turn into carbonic acid gas. This gas, having no way to escape from the upper chamber except by a tube leading into the lower reservoir, would force itself into the lower chamber and carbonate the liquid within. The wicker sleeve around the gasogene not only served as ornamentation but also as a safety precaution. It was not uncommon for gasogenes to burst under pressure and the wicker sleeve helped to prevent glass fragments from being scattered about.
Our gasogene is comprised of glass, pewter and caning. Marked on the base of the pewter spigot:
STANDARD ENGLISH SELTZOGENES
MADE SOLELY BY
THE BRITISH SYPHON MFG. CO.
LONDON ENGLAND
Also marked with a logo for British Syphon and a patent number.
In very good vintage condition, the caning appears to be completely intact and the glass tube can be seen inside the smaller upper globe.
The gasogene weighs 16 pounds 7.5 ounces and measures 19 7/8" in height, approximately 5 1/2" in diameter at the upper globe and 7" in diameter at the lower globe. The glass base measures 5 5/8" in diameter.
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