Available for sale today is a beautiful and heavy glass syphon bottle featuring a wire mesh covering and a rounded, thick glass pedestal base. The chrome is inscribed with "Sparklets Makers London D.A." and "Made in England," along with a warning: "Do not fill above the red line". It is in excellent condition considering its age. A bit of chrome loss on the top, due to usage. Please see the large number of closeups to further evaluate its condition. Marked 218 on the bottom. A sought-after piece for collectors of vintage barware, this syphon bottle adds authenticity and charm to any collection.

Vintage carbonated water dispensers became popular in the early 20th century. Sparklets Ltd., a London-based company, began producing these glass soda syphons around the 1920s and continued through much of the mid-century. These syphons allowed users to make their own carbonated water at home by using small carbon dioxide cartridges, often referred to as "Sparklets bulbs."

The glass soda syphons often had a wire mesh covering for protection, as they were designed to withstand the pressure of carbonation. The bottles had chrome or metal tops with a lever for dispensing the soda water. Some syphons also feature embossed logos and text, such as "Sparklets" or "London."

These bottles worked by inserting a carbon dioxide bulb into the headpiece, which would carbonate the water inside the bottle. A lever or trigger would then be used to dispense the soda water.

Sparklets soda syphons were quite popular in both homes and bars during the early 20th century. Today, they are highly collectible, especially the earlier models. Their appeal lies in their Art Deco design, practical function, and connection to a time when making soda water at home was a novelty.

As bar decor, this syphon bottle offers a stylish nod to classic cocktail culture, making it a standout accent for any bar setting.
 

About Sparklets LTD Makers London

Sparklets Ltd. was a British company, primarily known for revolutionizing the way soda water was made and dispensed during the early to mid-20th century. Sparklets played a key role in the popularization of soda syphons for home and commercial use, becoming a household name for carbonation devices.

The company traces its roots to 1896. Its early focus was on developing devices and accessories for carbonating beverages, particularly through the use of small, pressurized CO₂ cartridges, known as Sparklets bulbs. The Sparklets bulb was a small, sealed metal canister filled with carbon dioxide, which could be easily inserted into a soda syphon to carbonate water on demand. This innovation was a breakthrough, as it allowed consumers to make their own carbonated water at home or in bars. Previously, soda water had to be purchased in pre-carbonated bottles.

Sparklets produced a wide range of soda syphons, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, which became iconic for their sleek designs, often featuring wire-mesh covers to prevent the glass from shattering under pressure.

The designs of Sparklets syphons are often associated with the Art Deco movement, especially during the 1920s and 1930s when syphons were in their heyday.

Today, the company Sparklets no longer exists in its original form, but their soda syphons and bulbs continue to be a part of antique and vintage markets. Their distinctive designs, especially with the wire mesh covers, make them popular with collectors of vintage kitchenware and bar accessories.

The innovation of the Sparklets bulb had a lasting influence on the carbonation industry, and the idea of small CO₂ canisters lives on in modern home carbonation devices like SodaStream. The concept of using disposable gas bulbs remains widely in use, a testament to the technological impact Sparklets had on the beverage industry.

A similar bottle has recently sold on 1stdibs for $384CAD ($282USD) - view the listing here.
 

Notes:

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