Here are drawings and descriptions taken from old factory catalogues which can help to identify glasses found in brocantes. The descriptions are mostly in the original French
Match strikers or 'Pyrogenes' were a common feature of Frenche cafés. They were usually made of porcelain and branded with the name of a drink producer. Match strikers bearing the names of absinthe producers have become very collectable
Absinthe glasses come in many shapes and sizes and of various weights and qualities, after all absinthe was drunk in all establishments from the corner bar to the most exclusive clubs. Absinthe was served diluted with around 5 parts of water, so the glass had to be large enough to hold at least six fluid ounces of liquid. Most glasses had some kind of mark for measuring the 'dose' of absinthe - this was usually an etched line around the bottom of the glass, or an actual reservoir blown into the base of the glass. The only glasses that were made solely for absinthe drinking were the rare and beautiful reservoir glasses and the 'Pontarlier' glasses..
Saucers were an essential item in the serving of absinthe. They were placed under the absinthe glass to catch the drips as people added water to their drink. The price of the drink was usually marked on the saucer. Saucers are typically 5 " in diameter.
Topettes were used to measure out the absinthe. They came in various sizes with the number of shots of absinthe being indicated by the number of rings. Carafes and water jugs were a very common café accessory. They usually bore the name of the drinks manufacturer.
