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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Unresolved Glass Queries => Topic started by: Anne on July 06, 2008, 02:02:38 AM

Title: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on July 06, 2008, 02:02:38 AM
This is another find which has me stumped! It seems to be clear glass which has been rolled in uranium powder/frit and then reheated. The outer surface of the tankard is slightly bumpy where the speckles are, the inside surface is totally smooth.

The base glass is not UV reactive, the speckles glow under a blacklight.  There is a large irregular polished pontil mark.

Height is 4" (100mm), weight is 469g.

Has anyone seen this sort of uranium speckling before, and any idea of maker please? 
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Ivo on July 06, 2008, 09:59:14 AM
First reaction to that one is "Reijmyre" - but I cannot substantiate it in any way.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Frank on July 06, 2008, 10:06:08 AM
How does it 'glow' under sunlight, sunset etc. As usually the fire of U is evenly spread through the metal.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on July 06, 2008, 10:43:33 AM
Thanks Ivo, that's a direction to look into.

Frank, yup I've never seen uranium glass like this before. Neither has Della who's staying with me at the moment - we have peered at it in daylight (sunshine? what sunshine!!!  >:D) and under the UV and it's definitely only the speckly bits which glow so it must be uranium frit marvered on to the surface surely?   

Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Frank on July 06, 2008, 12:28:36 PM
Probably. When you get some sun (we have lots here and huuuumidity  :cry:), check it out.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: mrvaselineglass on July 08, 2008, 02:43:07 AM
I have a Christmas ornament that the base glass is clear, and the gather was rolled in cranberry and vaseline/uranium glass frit before blowing it out.  I am not suggesting that the maker of my ornament made your pitcher, as I know who made my ornament (Jack Loranger from Washington State USA) and he has not made any pitchers like yours.  I am only adding this to the discussion to say that that process does exist.  Jack told me how he did it, and he is just a one-man shop. I don't know who made the pitcher.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on July 08, 2008, 11:19:08 AM
Thanks Dave, it's really useful to know that my assumption about how it was made is feasible, much appreciated. :)
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on August 19, 2008, 01:20:47 AM
Another one in a plum colour speckly finish here: http://www.stylendesign.co.uk/classic/G645.html
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Frank on August 19, 2008, 08:13:01 AM
Nailsea style  ::)

I have had one of these in blue, but that was a long time ago.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on August 19, 2008, 02:54:07 PM
Yeah, tells us a lot doesn't it Frank?   ::)  >:D  So now we know they come in three colours.... but who made them?  :huh:
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Lustrousstone on August 19, 2008, 06:16:13 PM
This might be a stupid thought along the lines of "It's got a polished pontil, it must be Whitefriars", but could they be Webb with that huge pontil
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on August 19, 2008, 10:59:40 PM
No idea at all Christine. Webb could be as good an option as any other at the moment. I have a feeling this one may take a while to run to ground! ;)
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Frank on August 20, 2008, 09:05:28 AM
Too crude for Webb, look at the handle. They used to be touted as Monart which is why ended up with one in my early days.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on August 20, 2008, 04:21:05 PM
So we're not looking for a top-quality maker then...  this is starting to bug me.  >:D
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Lustrousstone on August 23, 2008, 06:17:12 AM
I saw a multi-coloured one on Wednesday but that had a crackle surface, than it had been rolled in small coloured chips before reheating. Smaller pontil as well but very similar shape.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Frank on August 23, 2008, 11:07:04 AM
There are a lot of candidates in the UK. Labelled or marked example will likely be the only definitive solution. It will turn up one day.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Ivo on August 23, 2008, 03:08:28 PM
There are a lot of candidates in the UK

do not limit your scope. There is glass outside the UK, too....
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Anne on August 23, 2008, 03:56:08 PM
Christine, there was a crackle one at the Collectors' Fair in Kendal last weekend too. I had a look/feel of it - same size and shape, but that one didn't have the speckles and it was just mid-blue.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Frank on August 23, 2008, 05:17:17 PM
I do think it is English.
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: Lustrousstone on August 23, 2008, 06:44:41 PM
I have also realised that I have a crackle one in plain darkish green uranium glass
Title: Re: Tankard with uranium speckles
Post by: johnphilip on August 23, 2008, 09:33:10 PM
It could be Scandinavian they did a hell of a lot of good glass that a lot of us dont recognise unless you are lucky enough to own some of the rare books showing early pieces,i have a couple of old museum books that opened my eyes .