Glass Carboy Terrarium Appraisal

Upcycled 5-Gallon Glass Carboy Terrarium

This item is an approximately two-foot-tall, 5-gallon glass carboy that has been modified into a terrarium. The vessel is constructed of thick, clear soda-lime glass, typical of mid-to-late 20th-century mass production for brewing or chemical storage. It features a cylindrical body with four distinct textured ribs or decorative bands wrapping horizontally around the midsection, a sloping shoulder, and a narrow mouth with a reinforced rim. A notable and unique feature of this piece is a large, oval-shaped portal professionally or manually cut into the front lower half of the bottle to allow for the placement of interior elements and air circulation. Inside, a base layer of smooth multi-colored river stones and decorative blue glass pebbles is visible, along with a small green and yellow accessory that appears to be a miniature figurine or tool. The glass shows significant cloudiness and surface residue, particularly around the shoulder and upper portions, suggesting hard water deposits or long-term exposure to humidity from its use as a terrarium. No distinct maker's marks or mold numbers are clearly visible in the image, though they are often found on the base of such vessels. The overall condition is fair to good, with the primary value-altering factors being the cloudiness of the glass and the permanence of the side-cut modification.