Glass Message Board

Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => USA => Topic started by: icedgold10 on August 21, 2012, 02:50:17 PM

Title: Mary Gregory style vase - ID = Westmoreland Glass
Post by: icedgold10 on August 21, 2012, 02:50:17 PM
I bought this Mary Gregory vase and am trying to figure out if the signature says 1912 or 1972?  It looks like 1912 to me.  If it is where would it have been made? http://s1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh635/icedgold10/vase/     I bought it at a thrift store for $1.99.  Any help would be great.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 21, 2012, 03:00:29 PM
Hi and welcome to the gmb. :)

This isn't really my area, but I don't think it's likely to be possible to pin down a maker or place for Mary Gregory style glass - it was very much a cottage type industry, "Mary Gregory" was not a person!
Mary Gregory glass has been made in recent years, certainly in the '70s; and I've been told the way to tell whether or not a bit is old or new is to look at the way the figures are executed.
On old pieces, the children are quite chubby - conforming to the ideal of the time, while newer bits have slimer, cuter children - conforming to today's ideals.

I think you have a rather cute, slim modern looking child on this piece. It's nicely done.
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: icedgold10 on August 21, 2012, 03:07:13 PM
Thank you for your input.  What do you think of the date?  Either way I am happy because for $1.99 it's a deal for a nice vase.
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Paul S. on August 21, 2012, 03:47:19 PM
according to Ruth Lee Webb, Muriel M. Miller, Mr. Hajdamach and doubtless others - there was indeed a Mary Gregory who lived at Sandwich, Mass. and worked for the B. & S. Glass Co.- as a decorator of glass, briefly during the 1880's.    So - was she a real person, or just a figment of our imagination Sue?  ;)
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: flying free on August 21, 2012, 04:13:53 PM
I thought these pieces were Czech in origin Paul  ???
m
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: chopin-liszt on August 21, 2012, 04:29:59 PM
I don't know Paul - I've found a book by Paul Gallico, in which the heroine has MY name.
And I thought some MG bits were Stourbridge!
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Nemmie on August 21, 2012, 04:42:45 PM
 Meh, the swear filter is set way too high. So please ignore this post.

Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: icedgold10 on August 21, 2012, 04:46:30 PM
You people are awesome!  ;D
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: flying free on August 21, 2012, 04:58:51 PM
oh btw Welcome to the board  :)
and I think it reads C Stanley possibly? 1972 or 1912 at a push but that second '7' or '1' looks different to the first so I'd plump for `1972'
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: flying free on August 21, 2012, 05:02:13 PM
I have found one that looks the same (or very very similar)  attributed as Westmoreland Blue Mist
m
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Ohio on August 21, 2012, 05:58:58 PM
Mary Gregory was a real person who worked at Boston Sandwich from 1880 to 1884 or 1885 whichever source you use (and that is documented) There is a catch however as she worked (along with her sister) in the lamp shade decorating department decorating Gone with the Wind style lamps & did not decorate bowls, vases, etc. Most art glass experts point out that many european factories (mostly Bohemian) were decorating in this style (fat cherub children) prior to 1880, but in the U.S. it became fashional to refer to this style as Mary Gregory & it simply caught on as a catch all phrase.  Ken
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Paul S. on August 21, 2012, 06:11:10 PM
I should have added that, like Sue, I know less than nothing about this type of production, but was aware that there had in fact been an Mary Alice Gregory working as a decorator at B. & S. in the 1880's - so just wished to make this a known fact rather than it appearing there had never been a Mary Gregory.
I think that this Mary had in fact been and gone long before people had started using the expression........and am sure that it's true that as a product this type of thing has been made in many places around the world - most recently perhaps in Czechoslovakia.         But as a serious comment, for a change, it had occurred to me that perhaps the snow scenes that she apparently created on Gone With the Wind type lamps showing winter scenes etc., might have been the catalyst for someone at a later date to use her name for the white enamel type decoration of homely images that bear her name.        Just a vague thought you understand.       She died in May 1908 incidentally.   
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Paul S. on August 21, 2012, 06:12:11 PM
Ken - my apologies, most of my comments are redundant in view of your helpful reply.
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Ohio on August 21, 2012, 07:32:05 PM
Certainly no need for any apology Paul. I think we covered just about everything. I had some old notes that the Hahn Factory at Gablonz did the exact same type of work only a bit earlier & its been reproed for decades by just about everyone. I had a vase that was supposedly from that region in an early form, but I
I think most of this stuff is impossible to date so who knows?. Ken
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: flying free on August 21, 2012, 07:33:21 PM
erm, isn't this a Westmoreland vase - apparently Blue Mist?
m
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Ohio on August 22, 2012, 12:54:32 AM
Since the president of the Westmoreland Society is a buddy of mine I can find out within a day if I have the OP's permission to send him the URL. If it is he will probably even know the decorator. I'm out of town tomorrow but can contact him tomorrow night if the OP wishes.  Ken
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: icedgold10 on August 22, 2012, 09:26:23 AM
That would be great!  Thank you so much! 8)
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: chriscooper on August 22, 2012, 09:52:57 AM
A very similar design on this 'replacements' site described 'flower vase' and an 8" plate.  Westmoreland Mary Gregory Blue Mist 1950-1985

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/WESMAGB.htm

Chris
Title: Re: Mary Gregory Vase
Post by: Ohio on August 22, 2012, 01:26:05 PM
Emailed my biddy, however I should have just checked eBay first. Just put in "Westmoreland Mary Gregory" & you will see its confirmed Westmoreland...no doubt.  Ken