Topic: Old Swirl paperweight

[tropdevin]

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Hi Allan.  A couple of long established antique glass dealers I know have seen quite a few of these over the years, nearly always in the UK, suggesting that is where they originated.  That said, these are common colours for antique glass, and so might be made in various places.  The antique glass rolling pins with pink and/or blue feathering or stripes over white are sometimes attributed to Nailsea, but I am not sure that is correct.

Alan

[Hourglass]

Nailsea glass is predominantly bottle green or bottle brown with white inclusions, what I would describe as 'dalmation' spots as in the breed of dog. I'm not aware that Nailsea made paperweights, jugs, plates, bowls and vases I've seen a lot of and also various glass walking sticks with a barley twist.

[paperweights]

Unfortunately, I think this attribution is still anecdotal.  Dealers in the US attribute items as American, dealers in the UK attribute to the UK, etc.  I still believe the paperweight is Bohemian and not UK.

[Hourglass]

Unless a paperweight is marked or is of a certain style that certain makers or studios created that can be reasonably confidently attributed to they are all pretty subjective, I myself acquire weights that appeal to me, not because of who, where or when they were made and if they are signed, labelled or have any other identifying markings on them then that's a bonus. The price plays a big part as well! A lot of styles and patterns were 'copied' by many producers in various Countries as well which makes identification of origin even harder.

[donaldf]

Hiya All.
I have now got another which is almost identical in shape and feel and weight as the swirl. It is smaller at 47mm diameter, but this one has a flower motif and the top swirly disc is smaller and in a recess. Does this make id any simpler?

Don

[tropdevin]

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Hi Don.  That flower looks Thuringian to me.  Alan