A late 18th / early 19th C leech jar. Everted lip around which a cord would be tied to secure a piece of muslin which would prevent the leeches escaping whilst still allowing them to breathe.

There are a few bubbles in common with glass manufacture of the time no traumatic imperfections, chips cracks or other damage. The open pontil on the base (where the glass tube from the blowing process was broken off) date this jar to the first half of the 18th century or earlier.

• From the Phisick collection