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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: josordoni on May 07, 2006, 08:02:49 AM

Title: Overall shape
Post by: josordoni on May 07, 2006, 08:02:49 AM
I have been looking at my unidentified weights, and wondering if any guide exists to the overall shape to tell where they come from.

Some seem to be a bit pointy at the top, some rather like someone sat on them and they squashed out at the sides, some low, some high.

I am sure the shape must be a guide to the origin, but is there anywhere to look them up?
Title: Overall shape
Post by: Simone on May 07, 2006, 11:45:29 AM
Different makers had different shapes, but it's the canes and the pontils that are usually the determining factor.
Title: Overall shape
Post by: josordoni on May 07, 2006, 12:17:21 PM
Thanks Simone, looks like I shall have to carry on photographing and boring everyone here to find out where they come from!


Maybe I will learn in the long run.  I don't hold out much hope though - old dogs and new tricks
 :roll:
Title: Overall shape
Post by: richsr on May 09, 2006, 07:04:32 PM
I have 3 books that help me identify paperweights.. the first "Identifying Antique Paperweights - Millefiori"  contains a section on paperweight profile.  this book is by George N Kulles.. He also has a book titled "Identifying Antique Paperweights - Lampwork"... I also find "The Dictionary of Signature Canes" by Andrew Dohan to be helpful when trying to identify a weight.  In addition i have collected many of the back issues of the PCS Newsletters which deal with some more obscure artists.  

I'll keep an eye out here to see if I can help.

Richsr
Title: Overall shape
Post by: josordoni on May 09, 2006, 08:48:13 PM
Rich, that would be great, I will get busy with the camera and see what we think...
Title: Overall shape
Post by: KevinH on May 09, 2006, 10:40:04 PM
Yes, there are some good shape references in some of the books. But all of these need to be examined in context of the other features, as shape cannot be used alone to positively identify a particular maker.

Ok, if we find a tall, tapering weight with overall faceting this could give a big clue to its origin as 20th century Hungarian - but it might also be Czech. A good example of confusion, which arose a few times a year or so ago on eBay, were some "bullet-shaped" weights that looked very much like the Strathearn "Tropic" design, but which were found to be of modern Portuguese manufacture.

The problem is genrally more complex with modern weights than with the antique ones since so many variations have been produced.

And even with the known illustrated shapes, there are often examples from the same maker that do not fit the norm.

And then there's the difficulty with repair work, done to remove chips and deep scratches from the antique and older ones, which can sometimes alter the profile such that it no longer looks like it should when compared to the books.

But there is one range that may, possibly, perhaps, be standard and can be used as a fairly accurate reference. These are upright rectangular weights (blocks) containing complex floral bouquets. If one of these is found, it is probably Russian - and worth a dollar or two.
Title: Overall shape
Post by: Frank on May 09, 2006, 10:59:00 PM
Quote from: "KevH"
But there is one range that may, possibly, perhaps, be standard and can be used as a fairly accurate reference. These are upright rectangular weights (blocks) containing complex floral bouquets. If one of these is found, it is probably Russian - and worth a dollar or two.


Or Paul Stankard and worth ten thousand or so :wink:
Title: Overall shape
Post by: KevinH on May 09, 2006, 11:34:43 PM
See folks ... Frank just proved my point ... shape (even with described content) is not a reliable indicator.

(But the "dollar or two" for the Russian pieces does often translate to a higher actual value than many of the Stankard versions. 8) )