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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: jakgene on August 15, 2011, 03:43:26 PM

Title: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 15, 2011, 03:43:26 PM
Hi - some  clarification sought please.  I just received this little "doughnut" shaped vase - bought  in Oz on spec as unidentified by seller. I thought I saw an IOW  flame pontil in the photo - and yes I did.

I cannot find what the pattern is - the nearest thing to it I have found for a colour match in Mark Hills book  is the Kerry Glass Shamrock vase. Does anyone know what this is please?

I would have thought it was an early Kerry piece, except it is inscribed quite clearly - in small script - Isle of Wight Glass. Was wondering  - could this be a Michael Harris inscription ? from what I can see in the book (p 137) the word "Glass" on his Mdina inscription looks just like this one. I have a Mdina piece inscribed by him and there are similarities to this inscription.

Has good base wear.  Base is concave so the flame pontil doesn't touch the surface - the base wear is all around on the outer rim. Mouth opening not a perfect circle - approx 3.5 cm  1 3/4 inches in diameter

Is 9.5 cm in diameter (about 3 3/4 inches) 4cm or 1.5 inches high.
It is really rather pretty, and very tactile - I keep holding it!  Have I found a goodie??

JAK
West Oz


Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 15, 2011, 03:44:11 PM
and one more photo of the base wear
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: suzygpr on August 15, 2011, 03:50:49 PM
Yep - IOWSG Kerry, Shamrock doughnut vase. The shape is called a disc vase in the book.

I would say the script is Michael Harris, I'll check it against mine.  Don't think it's Tim's script.

Suzy xxx

Yep - I'd say MH script.  Well spotted.
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 15, 2011, 03:56:26 PM
Thanks Suzy - :rah:   

 could you please clarify though - what is IOWSG? I know IOW of course but SG?
And is it IOW or Kerry - or did they overlap for a time?
I'm confused  :huh:

regards

JAK
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 15, 2011, 03:58:22 PM
SG = Studio Glass??  DOH!! I just worked it out - so it is IOW notKerry??

it is almost midnight - past my bedtime!

JAK
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 15, 2011, 03:59:57 PM
It looks absolutely right to me!
I agree completely it's Michael Harris' script, not Tim's, I've just checked both.

Normal artist signed pieces have the full artist's name, and Isle of Wight England, but the plain Studio name engraved either as "IoW Glass, England" or "IoW England" without an artist's signature can signify a piece which was bought from the studio archives.

I can't check archive pieces sold while Michael was still with us - I have only two - and they're marked by Tim, I believe.

The designs produced at Kerry were based on designs first made at IoWSG - it can be hard to tell which is which - unless it is otherwise marked with IoW, or if it's one of the later Kerry ones with the flame mark reversed.
But there really is no way of telling IoW from Kerry otherwise.
And yes, they were both making this design at about the same time.

IoWSG means Isle of Wight Studio Glass. IoW alone could refer to Alum Bay, or to Glory Art Glass as well.
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: suzygpr on August 15, 2011, 04:01:35 PM
IOW is the island Isle of Wight, as there are quite a few glassmakers on the island it can mean others than Michael Harris's dynasty.  IOWSG is Isle of Wight Studio Glass - The Harris glassmaking company.

As the flame mark on the base is the 'right way round' and is enscribed it was made at the Harris studio, prob very early in production as a sample piece.

If the flame mark was in reverse it would show that it was made at the Kerry based studio.

HTH

Suzy xxx
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 15, 2011, 04:06:53 PM
Thanks for the clarification Sue and Suzy

Must go to bed - but may not sleep for excitement.......

Not really  ;D  - but am well pleased with my little gem of a find.

Good night England   -  Oz is off to bed.

JAK


Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: glassobsessed on August 16, 2011, 08:38:23 AM
I have an Aurene attenuated bottle here that was an archive piece - it is signed "IOW Glass England".

John

 
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 16, 2011, 09:52:56 AM
I was told at the time I bought my archive bits that archive bits are specifically marked in this way when they get sold - unless it's an archive piece that is already artist signed, of course.
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: ahremck on August 16, 2011, 11:55:10 AM
So that's who beat me to it!   :spls:

Ross
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 16, 2011, 12:57:30 PM
Sorry Ross!  >:D

It is gorgeous though! Cannot believe the seller could not read the inscription - it is very clear.

JAK
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 16, 2011, 01:11:47 PM
I've just checked the list of sold items on the IoWSG site - but they only go back to 2005, if this was an archive bit, it sold before that.
Title: Re: Just Received - Isle of Wight Doughnut. Harris inscription??
Post by: jakgene on August 16, 2011, 01:18:24 PM
Thanks for checking Sue

It has an awful lot of wear,  - I think it has been used for a longish time.

So I wonder why it was inscribed by Michael?

Could it have been a piece that went to USA? didn't he sign a lot of those?

JAK