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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: David E on May 26, 2006, 10:56:16 AM

Title: Afrikaans ashtray, c.1935, needing ID of Building
Post by: David E on May 26, 2006, 10:56:16 AM

Max has just sent to me a fascinating pressed glass ashtray (thanks Max!  :D), made by Chance and seemingly for an Afrikaans customer.

EDIT UPDATE: Max bought it from eBay Canada

Embossed on the top lip is the following wording:
VERVAARDIG IN ENGELAND

It would appear VERVAARDIG is Afrikaans for 'made', but I'd welcome anyone else's thoughts.

In the centre is a building:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/dencill/afrikaans-ashtray3-t.jpg)

See links below for more detailed photos.

Ashtray: http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2065
View 2: http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2064
Building close-up: http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2063
Chance signature: http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-2062

Can anyone identify this? Possibly a hotel?

With regard to date I would suggest mid-1930s due to the style, but it shouldn't be later than 1953, and probably represents an early piece of promotional glassware produced by the company.

Title: Afrikaans ashtray, c.1935, needing ID of Building
Post by: AlmasAttic on May 26, 2006, 01:34:18 PM

Hi

that is the Voortrekker Monument, in Pretoria, South Africa, and was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 to commemorate the Great Trek and the Voortrekkers
The trekkers were those who, in wagons pretty much like those used to move west in the USA, moved north from Cape Town and colonised South Africa

Here is a link to the history
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/specialprojects/great-trek/great-trek1.htm

VERVAARDIG is Afrikaans for "manufactured" and so your piece says "manufactured in England"
It may have been produced in 1949 at the opening of the Monument

Previously part of the British Commonwealth, South Africa became a
Republic in 1961, so it is unlikely to have been made after that in England.

HTH
:)

ps I originate from South Africa

Title: Afrikaans ashtray, c.1935, needing ID of Building
Post by: David E on May 26, 2006, 02:11:44 PM

Hi Cheri,

Many thanks for the super-fast response. Marvellous that I can find out about such an obscure subject [for someone in England] so quickly - power of the Internet! Thanks also for all the accompanying data. :D

I was completely wrong about the date though, so I'm pretty certain this was indeed a commemorative item dating to 1949. Going from the style I could have sworn mid-1930s: just goes to show... :oops:

Title: Afrikaans ashtray, c.1935, needing ID of Building
Post by: Frank on May 26, 2006, 02:40:09 PM

Not surprising, it is a very Deco monument http://www.voortrekkermon.org.za/Structure/S01.00_frameeng.htm

Title: Afrikaans ashtray, c.1935, needing ID of Building
Post by: Max on May 26, 2006, 06:38:47 PM

Great photos David!  Much better than I could have taken.

Thanks Cheri (sounds a bit over familiar! lol) for your help!   :D  :D

Title: Afrikaans ashtray, c.1935, needing ID of Building
Post by: AlmasAttic on May 26, 2006, 11:02:47 PM

:P  you are very welcome....nice to have been able to provide some help here for a change as I am usually the one seeking it!

BTW
The Voortrekker Monument is a HUGE structure that totally dominates the skyline, and yes,very Deco in design.