Verre Du Curiste, French Mineral Spring Glass with Basket!

Verre De Cure are one of my favorite French Brocante finds. They are small baskets (typically 3-6 inches tall and 3-4 inches wide) that hold a glass-sometimes with a handle. They were used to gather healing waters from the mineral springs. The basket protects the glass, the numbers on the side measure the amount of mineral water and they often had the name of the spring on them as well.

Some of the most famous mineral springs are Vichy and Lourdes. The glass can be etched or painted (etched is older and more desirable.) My favorites are the glasses with handles because they stretch the baskets into an oval shape.

They come in clear glass or in colors. I've seen green, which is quite common, and red or blue. Some even have other decorations-flowers or even an angel.

The holy grail of Verre de Cure? An oval glass in red with etching and a handle in a well worn basket!