Leech Aquarium

An object for the inquisitive, this unassuming though rather lovely glass vessel takes us back to the annals of medical history. In their time, leeches were hailed as medical marvels, based on their extraordinary abilities to ‘leech’ the human body of blood. It’s all thanks to their teeny tiny, but very sharp teeth!

Blood letting has been used as a treatment for everything from circulation disorders, inflammation, bruising and even chronic headache. In fact, it’s still used for some treatments today.

Ours is a little different from most leech bowls (and we like to think, extra special), made from glass not pottery as was more the norm. Peer closely and you might spot the pale swirls in the glass, little clues that this item was blow, not moulded.

If this lovely object captures your fancy as well as it catches the light, don’t worry, because nowadays it comes without the little critters inside.