On front interior: OLD SACHEM BITTERS AND WIGWAM TONIC

The treadle mold is used in glassblowing. Also called a foot-pedal mold, it is comprised of two parts (leaves) hinged together at their bases. A bolt protrudes from one leaf in order that it may be attached to the side of a platform. A rod protrudes from the other leaf. Surrounding both is a bar that runs over the bolt and under the rod. Further, a pedal extension is attached to the section of the bar that runs over the bolt.

Only one glassblower operates this type of mold. The craftsman first places a gather of molten glass on the end of a blowpipe. Then, standing on the platform, the maker depresses the pedal, which closes the mold around the blowpipe. The gather is then blown to the capacity of the mold, after which the pedal is released. Once the blowpipe is removed from the mold, the glass piece is attached to a pontil rod (a long, iron rod that enables the glass to be carried) and taken to the lipper to have the opening finished. The final step is to gradually cool the piece in an annealing oven.