Topic: Whitefriars pontils

[Ben.unwin]

I've seen a WF ruby red textured vase at my local auction house, I've had several before which normally have the typical polished concave pontil, but this one still has the remnants of the glass from where its been snapped off the rod.
Is this normal or possibly a fake?
Picture to follow (lent my camera out)
Thanks in advance!

[rarebritishartglass]

Hi Ben,

Although most Whitefriars textured vases were finished with a polished out pontil mark, on the odd occasion some of the glass blowers made glass pieces for themselves, or for friends and family.

Some of these would have left the workshop through the back-door and there have been several examples found over the years with a snapped off unfinished pontil mark to base.

Of course some of the various textured range patterns were also finished smooth to the base with no pontil mark at all.

Then of course there are also the horrible fakes which usually have a moulded fake pontil mark.

Can you tell me what pattern or design shape the vase is?

Best wishes, Michelle.

[Ben.unwin]

9689 in ruby red, it was the middle version measuring 7.5" tall

[rarebritishartglass]

Almost certainly genuine then, but left the factory through the back door.

Of course it is always impossible to be 100% sure of it's originality without a photo of the vase as there are known copies, and similar styles in that pattern.

Very best wishes, Michelle.
RareBritishArtGlass