Glass Message Board

Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: jonnybrum on April 10, 2009, 03:32:03 PM

Title: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: jonnybrum on April 10, 2009, 03:32:03 PM

Hi folks - this is a very well executed, sculptural piece of glass.   Was sold to me as Dartington Studio (which I doubted at the time) - has a troika feel about it.  Can anyone help me?

Many thanks

Jon   

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: glassobsessed on April 10, 2009, 05:48:05 PM

Hi Jon,
rings a vague bell, I have foolishly lent my book on Dartington Glass to a friend (well he will be as long as it is returned), hopefully I will have it back tomorrow if no one else can help in the meantime.
John.

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: Pip on April 11, 2009, 11:36:53 AM

There's nothing like this shown in Mark Hill's Dartington book.  FWIW, I personally wouldn't think of Dartington production when I look at this object (paperweight?) anyway.

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: glassobsessed on April 11, 2009, 11:59:09 AM

Apologies, my books have not been returned but I will let Bryn off as he lent me a lovely one on Loetz. The Dartington book I have is different from Pip's ('first twenty years') and I have asked Bryn to have a look in it and to leave a post later.
John.

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: glassobsessed on April 11, 2009, 12:00:28 PM

What are the dimensions?

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: jonnybrum on April 11, 2009, 12:49:06 PM

Hi

Thanks for all the comments.

The glass piece is 8 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches thick. 

Jon 

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: lyndhurst44 on April 11, 2009, 05:58:15 PM

Hi Jon,
I am that scoundrel who has John's book >:D. However I don't think I will find your sculpture in the book as I think your disc was a fairly recent creation. I know this because I have what sounds like a very similar piece. It was purchased a few years ago in Devon when we visited a Dartington outlet shop/ visiter centre at Torrington whilst holidaying in Torquay. Our piece, which also resembles a Troika wheel vase carries a paper label to the base entitled Innovate The Art of Glass. I believe the company is or probably was a subsidiary of Dartington at the time. There was a Company buy out 2 years ago, that's after my visit, I hope i was not the cause of it's downfall!!.  However I think the visiter centre still exists
I really enjoyed my visit there and just wanted a memo of my visit - so the Innovate sculpture. My disc seems a little bit deeper than yours at 2" with the reverse having a very rough texture and a series of 12 "nipple" like protruberances.
I have taken a photo to show my piece.
Cheers,
Bryn

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: jonnybrum on April 11, 2009, 06:28:01 PM

Oh, thanks so much Bryn. Looks like you've cracked it!

I was away from the house when I posted the measurements.  Now I'm back the piece is actually 2 inches thick with a diameter of 7 inches.  It also has a number of protruberances like yours on the back.   A lovely piece and although modern looks very much at home with my collection of 60/70's glass/ceramics.

Thanks again for all those who contributed.

 
   

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: lyndhurst44 on April 11, 2009, 06:46:14 PM

Hi Jon,
The Innovate company exists today in North Yorkshire but still uses the Dartington connection in it's title. The glass sold is much different now so who knows our short lived sculptures may become sought after items in the future making us exceedingly rich!!!
All the best,
Bryn

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: MarkHill on August 30, 2011, 02:01:21 PM

Hi,
Both look to me like they're sandcasts designed, and possibly executed by, Sarah Peterson for Caithness Glass. They should have rough backs where the powdered enamel was sprinkled into the sand mould if so. Perhaps some of the 'early' ones, or another range was produced for the company(ies) you mention.
Mark

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 30, 2011, 02:14:44 PM

Funnily enough, I was thinking of Sarah Peterson too Mark, just from looking at the work - and given I've seen a lot of this sort of stuff in the Caithness/Dartington Visitor centre in Crieff on my visits there.
As you say, it's sand cast, and it's stunning.

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: MarkHill on August 30, 2011, 02:27:45 PM

Yes, I am almost sure that it is Sarah Petersen. I bought the one that I own in Crieff. It was theoretically a second due to a couple of unplanned bubbles, but is signed and numbered 1 of 1.
And, yes, they do sell a fair few of these sorts of pieces there in my experience too.
Best,
Mark

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: KevinH on August 30, 2011, 08:37:05 PM

Hmmm. Does this finished (17 Jul 2011) eBay listing (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Green-Black-White-Tall-Glass-Vase-Innovate-/160617882147) help to clarify anything?

Is the "innovate the art of glass" label used for a range of makers' items or a particular company / maker?

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 31, 2011, 11:05:26 AM

I have a massive vase in that design, which I bought from TKMaxx.
It has the Innovate label and it was presented in a Dartington box.  :thup:
I bought it *only* to be able to provide exactly this information. It's really not that well made - although being in TKMaxx, it might have been a second.

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: David E on August 31, 2011, 12:12:32 PM

Quote from: MarkHill on August 30, 2011, 02:01:21 PM

Hi,
Both look to me like they're sandcasts designed, and possibly executed by, Sarah Peterson for Caithness Glass.

Interesting point: Sarah is the lass that features on the front cover of Scotland's Glass: A Directory of Glass Businesses, 2010

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: flying free on August 31, 2011, 06:13:53 PM

So did Sarah design these for Caithness to make or Dartington then?
m

Title: Re: Identification request - heavy glass disc with abstract design
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 31, 2011, 06:57:08 PM

I don't know. :pb:
Dartington has taken over Caithness.
Sarah has worked for Caithness for some time.
The hot glass studio where Caithness pwts are made is in Crieff, just at the back of the shop, where both Caithness pwts and Dartington glass are sold.
I don't know if this would be where sandcasting is done - I can ask next time I'm there. :thup:
The pwts are still marked Caithness, I think.......
 :ooh: