Hand Cooler by The Irish Handmade Glass Company of Waterford, Ireland, 2.25" x 1.25"

A hand cooler was a small, round piece of glass that was meant to nestle in the palm of a Victorian lady to ward off the possibility of the social humiliation of a warm, moist handshake. It was also believed that cooling one's hands would help ward off disease and prevent the common issue of fainting from wearing all those heavy clothes.

Did you know? The Irish Handmade Glass Company is made up of master glass artists from the former Waterford Crystal. Formed in 2009 after the Waterford factory closed its doors, these artists take pride that their ancient craft of glassblowing will survive for future generations.