This lovely antique sand glass consists of an inner glass bulb filled with sand enclosed in a wooden cage. The sand takes approx 10 minutes to run through and would have probably been used for measuring labourers break times!! 
 It measures approx 23 cm in height x 14cm.
In good condition with just one of the spindles replaced.
 
These timers were made in various sizes for different requirements but the usual length of time was an hour, half hour or 3-4 minutes. The larger one from the late 18th century/ early 19th century takes approx 30 minutes to run through. These were often used by the Royal Navy up until 1839 to count in half hours and for marines as a dependable measure of time whilst at sea. It has also been documented that these half hour timers were used in the church pulpit for measuring the parsons sermon to ensure it did not overrun what a good idea.!!!!! The small antique sand glass timer in image two takes approx 3 minutes 30 seconds to run through used mainly as an egg timer these smaller ones began to replace the larger timers as they were more convenient to use.