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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: scavo on January 30, 2012, 07:22:31 PM

Title: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: scavo on January 30, 2012, 07:22:31 PM
searched until my eyes were tired.

Found this on ebay (unattributed) that looks similar.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250982042697+

It looks quite well made and appears to have a few scars that would have occured over a reasonably long life.

Any pointers to an ID or other useful information greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: Lustrousstone on January 30, 2012, 07:53:47 PM
Modern Chinese I think; plenty of them around in various colours
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: scavo on January 30, 2012, 08:49:18 PM
 :cry:
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: Wuff on January 30, 2012, 09:25:44 PM
Agreed - definitely not Caithness.
Chinese is certainly an option - but could also be Czech or a few other places.
Remi (Lithuania) has somewhat similar designs - e.g. on http://www.glasremis.lt/index.php?cid=661. However, I have two (quite different) weights from there - both fully polished base and signed.
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: KevinH on January 30, 2012, 11:42:56 PM
The Remi items seem to be of a much more refined and controlled working.

Scavo's item certainly looks like a Chinese version of an "egg" paperweight, especially with the faceted section being much lower from the top.
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: scavo on January 30, 2012, 11:50:21 PM
Thanks to both of you for taking a look.

I don't know why I thought it might be Caithness (most likely wishful thinking!), but I did make a little note when I found it and did initial scout about for a possible maker.

I do get the sense that this is a bit better quality than what we tend to find from China - made for the lookalike market. I've looked at quite abit of TKMAx stuff and it is impressive from a distance but usually lets itself down on closer inspection. All I'm saying is this is quite well finished and that isn't what I usually see with PRC stuff - although I do know there are excellent glass workers ... in the east.

There are certainly shared features with the Lithuanian glass but differences too - mine is frosted on the base and there is no signature I can find.

Well, at least I can console myself that IF I hang onto it long enough it may be worth what I paid = £5  :24:


Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: scavo on January 31, 2012, 12:05:31 AM
I see what you mean Kevin about the facet being lower. I took a look through all the paperweights and not only that - the entire window is smaller than all those on the Remis site.

But thanks for bringing that site to my attention, Wolf. I was very impressed by some of their work - especially the black glass and then the sculptures. What are the marks? And are they Etched or Engraved?
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: Lustrousstone on January 31, 2012, 07:34:05 AM
An unpolished base should always make you think. It is often a sign of a mass-produced item. Many of the Chinese paperweights are pretty and well made, but they are churned out in their 1000s and currently have little value other than as inexpensive decorative/useful items. They are not made for the lookalike market; they just are what they are.
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: Wuff on January 31, 2012, 06:50:33 PM
But thanks for bringing that site to my attention, Wolf. I was very impressed by some of their work - especially the black glass and then the sculptures. What are the marks? And are they Etched or Engraved?
Here are images of the two - with corresponding signatures.
Title: Re: Helix bubble faceted frosted paperweight Caithness (?)
Post by: scavo on February 01, 2012, 02:34:32 PM
Christine: When I say 'lookalike' I mean those Chinese glass objects that are meant to look like Murano - but just not quite well enough done. I know Murano isn't a guarentee of quality, value ... and Chinese glass has it's collectors.

Wolkf: thanks again. Very helpful. Very attractive paperweights. I especially like the black one.