Topic: Question of origin

[tropdevin]

Hi yorkysam

Yes, I am here! I suspect that you are right to say that the item may have been commissioned (perhaps along with a few others) as gifts for a reunion - was there any particular date that might have been important to this group? A 25th anniversary, for instance?

Alan

[Yorkysam]

Hi Alan

Thanks for the reply - yes there were lots of significant dates - the unit was founded in 1940/1 so 25 years, 40 years after, etc etc are all possible.

Its uncannily like the weights pictured above - looks very similar to the "June" weight as well as the "Polly" and "Brenvin" items. As you suggested in your email it has a green/yellow tinge to the glass, and the base is roughish. The method of writing is similar and the flowers could be twins.

[Ivo]

and then there is the standup variety from France:

[Yorkysam]

Just had an email suggesting it may be a Paul Ysart paperweight as it's commemorative......

[tropdevin]

Hi

I would recommend disregarding the suggestion that it is by Paul Ysart - the poor man gets blamed for all sorts of things for no good reasons other than 'It is commemorative' or 'It has a cap badge' and so on! Yes, he made some commemorative weights and some cap badge weights - but so did many other makers.

Alan

[Yorkysam]

Email from Pilkington this morning....

"Many thanks for your query related to a paperweight which has been forwarded on to me.  Unfortunately, I have to tell you that Pilkington does not manufacture glass paperweights.   We manufacture glass for the building products and automotive markets. 

I am sorry not to be able to send you a more positive response, but thank you for your interest in contacting us.

Julie Hamlett
Electronic Media Manager
Pilkington Group Limited"

Interesting!

[KevinH]

Yep! Just like I said earlier:

Pilkington management denied the making of paperweights

[Frank]

This thread gives the impression that this style of weight was limited to Pilkington, surely it is a generic style of weight that was made quite widely and common elements (if canes of style of working) could have been distributed widely by workers moving to other countries. Much window glass would create problems with including colours, making production at a flat glass facility less likely. There would have needed to be another product being made at the works to justify the melt of material that was suitable. Although a large laboratory would have probablyu had the capability to make small batches.

[Yorkysam]

The thot plickens - or alternatively the mist just gets thicker.

This email arrived from the PCA in the States this morning

"You do have an interesting paperweight and from the photo I'm thinking it could have been made in Italy or India or China.  I thought I noticed a small flower-shaped cane on the side of the weight - if you could send another photo of that side, it might help."

Praps Ill just give up and go to the pub....