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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: wolkenreb on September 16, 2011, 01:36:04 PM

Title: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: wolkenreb on September 16, 2011, 01:36:04 PM
Hi.  I know absolutely nothing about paperweights, except that they're usually round.  Having read quite a few posts regarding PWs I am quite intrigued.  I have never been attracted to them, but I now see what a vast range there is.

If it's not too big a question, how would I begin by identifying a nice, quality paperweight from a run-of-the mill one?

Thanks
Nancy
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: scimiman on September 16, 2011, 02:18:18 PM
Your asking how long is a piece of string.
Your best bet is to trawl through google and inwardly digest.
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: wolkenreb on September 16, 2011, 02:30:56 PM
I kind of thought it was a big ask!  (Although a piece of string is normally about 3.5" long BTW.) Ha!  Will follow the link and have a good look.

Thanks Mike.
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: Frank on September 16, 2011, 02:50:13 PM
As with all things, workmanship, quality of detail, complexity and at times simplicity, good design, artistic flair, originality.

Value gives a good indication of: Classics age and condition, 20th Century Factory mostly design/skill, Art - a recognised and collected artist.

Personal interest - where you simply collect from the heart and the piece works for you.

Paperweights remain a rich area of discovery as while collectors are amongst the most animated and active of all glass collectors with many very active societies, lots of well researched books, outside of the world of weight collectors the gems are simply unrecognised as being more than a bauble.

Obviously weights (mostly) rely on the clarity of the glass - as a result this is one area that you will find more restored pieces than in any other glass area. Restorations being a complete polish, addition of facets to eliminate chips, partial polishing. How these affect value differs greatly according to rarity and quality of the restoration.

Paperweights are often a team effort and attribution is usually going to the designer of company weights, the canes may have been made by one or more of the workers, lampwork by another, the weight itself by another and any cutting by yet another. Someone else doing any final finishing. Studio makers might buy in canes or make everything themselves.

Techniques, there are dozens of techniques that are employed in paperweights which also makes them an interesting field of study.
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: wolkenreb on September 16, 2011, 04:18:02 PM
Many thanks for your comprehensive reply Frank.  After I read it I decided to look for relevant videos on you-tube and have been watching for the past hour or so, completely mesmerised and blown away.  I saw one where the maker delicately constructed little glass flowers and then built up the paperweight around them.  One video leads to another and I watched quite a few from Corning Glass Museum - wonderfully enlightening and enchanting.  I feel exhilarated and somehow really happy that there are still true artisans out there, creating decorative AND necessary objects for our everyday use. Not a machine in sight.  I can't help but wonder how such a labour intensive process can actually be economically viable, never mind the cost of keeping the furnaces going.  A whole new world has opened to me and, first chance I get, I want to see the process live.

Happy sigh!
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: Derek on September 16, 2011, 05:22:17 PM
Hi Nancy

So you want to see weights being made live - well the town to head to is Crieff. Here within a 1 mile radius you will find Peter McDougall, John Deacons and Caithness Glasss. At Ciathness you can have a go at making one yourself and discover just how difficult it is !

Best regards

Derek
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on September 16, 2011, 05:30:06 PM
Peter Holmes is in Hawick as well, he will go out of his way to show you whats going on and how it's done.

Ian
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: wolkenreb on September 16, 2011, 06:06:51 PM
Hi Derek. Yes, I looked at their website today to see if they do live demos which of course they do.  Crieff is actually about an hour away by car, but have no car at the moment. I'll have to persuade a friend/family to take me - although I wouldn't think it would take too much persuasion.

Ian, Hawick is probably about the same distance, maybe a bit more, so the same as the above applies.  However, I'd love to pay him a visit some time.  Does one need to make an appointment?

Thank you both!  If I do manage to visit one or either  I will post a report here!
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: wolkenreb on September 16, 2011, 06:18:23 PM
I meant one or both of course.

I've just been looking at Borders Art Glass (Peter Holmes) and they are actually on the A7 just north of Hawick and I'm on the A7 just south of Edinburgh.  40 miles between us.  I could probably get a bus!  Hurrah!
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: pooleandpaperweights on September 16, 2011, 06:25:39 PM
I've done the drive from Edinburgh (other half's Aunts for the night!) down the A7 to Hawick.  Beautiful drive, almost as good as going to Peter's!

Ian
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: Derek on September 16, 2011, 06:30:46 PM
Always a good idea to phone before setting out just in case they are not open for any reason !  For instance Caithness are just about to shut down for their 2 week annual maintenance.

Peter Holmes has a good gallery so do Caithness.

Best regards

Derek
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: Frank on September 16, 2011, 09:39:31 PM
I hope you have agood experience but also hope you are not completely converted. Your glass interests are always interesting posts.

I am not a paperweight collector and sort of defaulted into researching the area because of the Ysart connection. But as one of my main interest is in how glass is put together and the people that do it - to ignore paperweights would be a major faux pas, anyone can knock out a blown decanter with applied bits and bobs etcetera after ten years training or so... whereas you can learn to make a perfect weight in half the time yet.... there is probably no other field in glassworking, well perhaps lampworking, and maybe graal, where the artist can express 'anything'. Whilst millefiori paperweights, seen one you have seen them all, might seem dull by comparison to the work of artists such as Paul Stankard and Allan Scott... on closer examination there is a lot to be discovered. Andy Dohan's book will open up that world. It is a world of fine art as well as cheap tourist tat and of course has the longest history. Then you have Scottish Pride in being equal to America in fully exploiting this art form... The US is streets ahead in art weights but more and more UK artists include the odd weight in their repertoire and these are a rich area for discovery. Then there is the phenomenon of the 'Modern' weight devised largely by Colin Terris and Peter Holmes at Caithness. Produced in huge numbers as they were often easier to produce than millefiori but in this area you will again find pathfinding in application of new ideas in 3 dimensional design.

Anyway got into a bit of a waffle there  :P
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: KevinH on September 16, 2011, 10:57:26 PM
Nancy, an important point is to judge for yourself whether something is "quality". Just like any other item, you will come across sellers of paperweights who describe them as "superb", "top quality", "stunning", "never seen anything like it before", etc. etc. etc. Don't believe a word of it until you have checked it for yourself.

But just like everything else, until you have seen the really stunning items, you will only have lesser quality examples to judge by. And browsing books and websites will only give an impression of what quality a weight may have. It's only when you see it close up in reality that you can make a true judgement. And even then your own personality and perceptions will have their effect.

Personally, I'd rather have a well made Paul Ysart millefiori weight than a Stankard floral item, even though the Stankard piece usually will, with its true-to-life flameworked flower, and its pristine dome clarity, have a much higher quality of workmanship and visual wonder than any Ysart weight. ;D
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: scimiman on September 16, 2011, 11:44:10 PM
There are always plenty of weights to see at the forth coming Cambridge Glass Fair.
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 17, 2011, 10:46:40 AM
And why no mention of Mike Hunter in Selkirk, pray?   :thud:
There should be films of him demonstrating his paperweight making skills at the Scottish Conference last year on Frank's site......
I think cambridge is well out of Nancy's travel range, as it is mine.
It's at the other end of the country, in the middle of nowhere, with no public transport available.
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: wolkenreb on September 17, 2011, 03:48:24 PM
As always the GMB folk have been generous with their time, comments and advice.  Thank you so much.

I don't intend to start collecting paperweights - my interest has been piqued by some of the postings here and I wanted to know more.  I do an awful lot of charity shop browsing and have never taken a second look at paperweights because I thought they were all 'much of a muchness'.  Of course I now realise how wrong I was.  In future I intend to take a good look and maybe buy one or two to keep as references.

The videos I watched (not confined to just paperweight making) were just fantastic, and made me wish I had taken up glass making as a career, instead of treading the admin mill.  In fact, I wish I'd been a maker of something, anything, other than piles of paper.  Och well, that's life.  Perhaps some glass makers wish they opted for a desk job!

Anyway, thank you all for your valuable input!  In the meantime my glass tastes seem to be drawn towards older, functional pressed glass and I'm building up a bit of knowledge in that area little by little. :)
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: scimiman on September 17, 2011, 04:14:23 PM
I bet you fine one you just cant resist and hey presto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your suddenly a collector. :hiclp:
Happy hunting
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 17, 2011, 04:26:48 PM
I always think of them being used as weapons when somebody describes them as stunning.......

My OH thinks they have a use - chucking them at Vasart!  >:D

I do actually have a fair few of the things, but I only admit to 2 of them.
Title: Re: What are the main differences between a good quality and a poor quality PW?
Post by: Frank on September 17, 2011, 07:18:07 PM
With Mike you get the added bonus of great glass art too! Yes videos and stills are on SG site. There is a lot of other post conference material to go on site as well but personal matters got in the way.