We recently received our beautiful handblown glass supply. All are handblown into original molds using recycled glass by Early American Life Magazine artist Phil Gilson. A new item (to us, but not to history) is this cup and ball set.  Forget corks, and use this practical and historical design. 
 
Short term storage on your table and shelf, the ball seals out the air. For longer term, these were used to preserve foods, as in how we now use canning jars today. Simply place a piece of cheesecloth between the pieces using honey as an antibacterial preservative around he edges . It seals out the bad cooties. If you have access to a spring house or cold storage, wax will also do the trick.  
 
Or admire these as the art they are.  Limited supply
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