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Author Topic: Square Webb Corbett footed bowl  (Read 1525 times)

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Offline Leni

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Square Webb Corbett footed bowl
« on: September 15, 2009, 02:52:31 PM »
In an antique centre recently I bought a piece of cut stemware with a square top, marked on the base with the acid etched mark for Webb Corbett which was apparently used between 1930 and 1947.  Then, a few days later, I saw another one on ebay so I bought that as well.   However, when the second one arrived it turned out to be slightly different. It doesn't have the star-cut foot, and the number of cuts on each side in the 'arrow-head' shape are different, my first purchase having 13 lines and the second 17.  The one with the plain foot is also marked with the acid etched mark used from 1930 to '47 but in the centre of the foot, whereas the star-cut foot is marked as one would expect on the edge.

Can any experts on cut glass explain the differences please?  Would the design have changed during the years that particular mark was used, or is the plain footed one a mistake, or a 'second'?  And does any Webb Corbett expert know what the design was called, and also what was the purpose of these items?

Thanks very much.
Leni

Offline malwodyn

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Re: Square Webb Corbett footed bowl
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2009, 02:57:39 PM »
It was some time before I realised that the star cut was made to conceal were the pontil mark had been.  I rather think there is no significance in the number of cuts made - just that the craftsman wanted to balance them out evenly.

Offline nigel benson

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Re: Square Webb Corbett footed bowl
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2009, 09:37:39 PM »
Hi Leni,

I have a suspicion that you need a production 'expert' rather than a Webb Corbett specialist.

My thoughts are going along the line that it would be quicker to produce the item without the star cut base than the one that has it. Therefore there would be a production cost implication, which might then affect the pieces retail price. This might be at the request of a retailer; as a means of being able to fulfil an order at a given price; or, to reduce the cost of production to keep the item at a competitive price during the longevity of production.

malwodyn, you are right that the star cut base effectively covers the imperfections of the pontil, but it also lifts the item and gives the extra perceived value to the item.

On the same tack as your point about the star cutting covering the pontil mark, I remember talking to a glass designer who said that cutting on the body also hid imperfections in the glass - or cut them out!

I cannot explain the number of cuts forming the arrowhead shape, other than to suggest it could be dictated by the individual cutter (having said that I would have thought the design was predicated by the drawings). A bit of a dilemma!!

Nigel

Offline johnphilip

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Re: Square Webb Corbett footed bowl
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2009, 06:58:20 AM »
The square bowl is to help women who have had too much Botox to drink without spilling any . just picture it;) :chky: ;)

Offline Leni

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Re: Square Webb Corbett footed bowl
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2009, 08:12:52 AM »
Thank you very much for your answer, Nigel  :)  And Malwodyn  :)  And, of course, thank you John  >:D ;)

It has been suggested that these dishes were used for serving jam on a tea table.  Or nuts.  Whaddya think about nuts, John?   ;D
Leni

Offline juliet papa bravo

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Re: Square Webb Corbett footed bowl
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2011, 12:24:42 PM »
Hi Leni

Could you please have a look at my message http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,41305.0.html and see if you think my glass is related to yours. It's a different shape, rectangular rather than square, and a different design and mine has no mark but yours is the closest I have seen so far. Many thanks to Lustrousstone for pointing me in this direction.

Many thanks. JPB

 

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