This is a large English carving knife rest in a barbell shape with faceted ball dating to 1870-1890s. The large cut glass knife rest with hand faceted bar and ball ends was made to hold a carving knife. The knife rest or carving knife holder measures 4 inches long and is 1.75 inches in diameter at the end with a thick middle bar. The knife rest has no cracks but does have tiny fleabite chips on the facets and bar edges from use.
        Knife rests were an important part of a victorian table service and propped your dinner or carving knife up to keep it off the tablecloth. They are becoming a fashionable addition to dining and tea tables today again.