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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: vaudreuil on October 06, 2006, 01:50:27 AM

Title: Ewer / Cordial Jug (?)
Post by: vaudreuil on October 06, 2006, 01:50:27 AM
I know very little about glass, just have a few odd pieces which appeal to me, and this has me totally baffled.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-3548

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-3549

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-3550

The jug is 12 inches tall and weighs 1.5 pounds, the glass is 5 inches tall and weighs 4 ounces. No makers marks.

It seems, at least to me, a quality piece; a classical,  elegant shape with a very nice amber gold or ruby colour (depends on light).
I believe it to be free blown, there are no mould marks and it has the individuality that comes with a hand made piece.

In fact, it may have too much individuality:
- there is a noticeable asymetry to the shoulders and the top of the handle is not square with the spout.
- there are air inclusions in the glass
- there are wavy striations in the glass at the shoulder probably caused when the gather or parison was rolled and shaped
- the base of one of the glasses (there are 4 extant) is not square and it will rock very slightly

Any information as to make, age and purpose will be greatly appreciated.
Title: Ewer / Cordial Jug (?)
Post by: Ivo on October 06, 2006, 06:44:16 AM
Hope you also have the stopper because it will be almost impossible to find a matching one. It needs a pointed one - not a ball stopper.
The stem screams Italy - more specifically Empoli, the glass making area near Florence.
The shape is often called an "etruscan" ewer.
Timewise think sixties/ seventies
Title: Ewer / Cordial Jug (?)
Post by: vaudreuil on October 06, 2006, 06:43:58 PM
Your insight is much appreciated.

No stopper I'm afraid, but that isn't terribly important to me.

I have been trying to put it into some kind of time and cultural context
- what was it's purpose? (it's extemely impractical)
- why the disparity between the intent (design and colour) and the the flaws in the realization?

The possibility that it was created primarily as a souvenir simply never occurred to me.

Many thanks.
Title: Ewer / Cordial Jug (?)
Post by: Ivo on October 06, 2006, 08:41:50 PM
The shoddy quality had no particular meaning nor purpose. The decanter had a ground stopper so it would close properly and was intended for whatever you'd like to put in - Grappa being the most likely poison.