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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Unresolved Glass Queries => Topic started by: Anne on September 13, 2005, 11:05:23 PM

Title: Water bottle... mid-Victorian or not?
Post by: Anne on September 13, 2005, 11:05:23 PM

Another recent find is this water bottle... rough cracked pontil mark on the base, no maker's mark at all. Stands a shade over 6.5" tall and is 5" in diameter across the base.

I saw this listed on an online antiques site along with a matching tumbler as mid-Victorian. Can anyone confirm the date and / or suggest a maker please? Many thanks :)

http://www.yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?&pos=-616
http://www.yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?&pos=-614
http://www.yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?&pos=-615

Title: Water bottle... mid-Victorian or not?
Post by: paradisetrader on September 17, 2005, 12:42:18 PM

Anne
Nice looking item.
I was recently looking through cut lead crystal on Ebay (eeeek !!) and amongst all the molded wares, some deliberately and convincingly designed to ape cut crystal ( presscut ?) I did see a number of pieces identified as Victorian with simple designs in this swagged design. Now we all know how relaible Ebay ID's are ...but from the number I saw I would say that you are probably on the right lines. I hope that helps a little.

Do you have other lead crystal you can compare it with ?
Is there much age wear to the base ?
It is very very heavy ?

Incidentally, for clear glass, photographs against a dark background (ideally black or dark blue) would give a better indication of the sparkle, clarity and pattern.

Title: Water bottle... mid-Victorian or not?
Post by: Anne on September 17, 2005, 08:20:12 PM

Thanks Peter, it doesn't look like crystal at all to be honest. I have a fair bit of crystal from various manufacturers and this is nothing like. It's a puzzle as I wouldn't say it was really good quality glass, but it's a nice shaped piece. It's not that heavy (I'm going looking for an electronic kitchen scale to weigh stuff on to avoid these subjective values!).

I tried taking photos against a dark background but they didn't work so I'm still experimenting, trying to find the best place for the clear stuff. The white kitchen works well for the coloured stuff though! :)

BTW the other one I saw which looks like mine is here http://tinyurl.com/7kbgw

Title: Water bottle... mid-Victorian or not?
Post by: paradisetrader on September 17, 2005, 08:45:40 PM

OH ! Thanks for the additional photos - it's not at all what I thought I was seeing.
And now it's obvious that it's half of a tumble-up / guest night water set....without it's tumbler (which goes upside down on it when not in use)

As noted many non-crystal patterns seek to replicate those of crystal so the comments about swag motif stand.
Any slight tint to the glass ?
(Hold it above a clean sheet of printer paper)
Is there much age wear to the base ?

Background - Dark matt cotton material (velvet ideally).
Set exposure to central spot or small area grid ...if exposure is set to ALL then flash will overcompensate for the black material. Use as much other lighting as possible.

Title: Water bottle... mid-Victorian or not?
Post by: Anne on September 17, 2005, 10:42:42 PM

Quote

it's half of a tumble-up / guest night water set.

Yes that's the thing Peter. :)

Quote

Any slight tint to the glass ?

None at all.

Quote

Is there much age wear to the base ?

Yes on the ribbed parts underneath that would have been contact with whatever surface it stood on.

I'll experiment some more with the camera tomorrow - I have a vase's bottom to photograph to compare with Pat's (her vase not her bottom!) and see what I can do ;)