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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Bernard C on October 16, 2006, 03:29:53 PM

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Bernard C on October 16, 2006, 03:29:53 PM

What is the name of the man (or woman) who levels up the vase or bowl by grinding and polishing the feet or base and who sorts out the pontil scar, if any?

Is it a leveler, leveller, levelor, levellor, or something else?   Does the name and/or spelling change in mid-Atlantic?

Bernard C.  8)

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Frank on October 16, 2006, 03:34:11 PM

I am sure like all such terms it will differ per works. At Vasart Joe Dickson was the man and he was called the grinder, probably called other things to depending on what he was doing.

Also heard the term 'Finisher' in use but cannot recall where.

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Adam on October 16, 2006, 04:02:48 PM

Sowerbys called the department concerned the "flattening shop".  I never heard a job title for the ladies who worked there.

Adam D.

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Sklounion on October 16, 2006, 06:11:07 PM

ICG's Dictionary of Glass-making, gives ground base, puntied base, and the verb puntying, for the grinding of the base.
Don't know if you can assume puntier.The dictionary also refers, in the section on cutting and polishing of glass to the terms, flatter, and stoner for occupations. Both of these last, appear to be terms covered by BS3447:1962, and BS 952:1953, which has been superceded by BS 952 1: 1980
Regards,
Marcus

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Bernard C on October 19, 2006, 06:50:51 AM

Thanks everyone.   I think it best to avoid specific terms for these post-annealing jobs as it could cause more confusion than clarification.

Adam — I noticed your mention of this being ladies' work.   With the well-known photograph of Catherine Ysart signing Vasart glass, and my own experience at a Doncaster fair some years ago meeting the tiny and incredibly beautiful Bagley polkadot lady (and she was worried that I might laugh!!! — it was like meeting royalty), this side of the annealing oven, at least here in Britain, seems to have been dominated by the fair sex.

Bernard C.  8)

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Sklounion on October 19, 2006, 07:03:13 AM

Bernard wrote:

Quote

this side of the annealing oven, at least here in Britain, seems to have been dominated by the fair sex

A fair observation, and equally applicable to the pottery and ceramics industry, where most casting/forming/mouldmaking and kiln work was carried out by men, and decorating, linishing and many other skilled tasks were carried out by women.
regards,
Marcus

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Bernard C on October 19, 2006, 07:28:20 AM

Eeeeek — I got that wrong!    And although I corrected it, you, Marcus, have quoted me so that all can see my terrible error!    With my OH a full-blooded tartan-swinging clan Maxwell, complete with several ruined castles, this could be the end for me.   It's been a pleasure knowing you all.

Farewell,

Bernard C.  8)

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Sklounion on October 19, 2006, 07:45:41 AM

Bernard,
Your blushes are spared....
Regards,
Marcus

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Bernard C on October 19, 2006, 08:04:32 AM

Marcus — Thanks, but too late.

Bernard C.  8)

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Frank on October 19, 2006, 10:26:41 AM

Quote from: "Frank"

... At Vasart Joe Dickson was the man and he was called the grinder...

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Bernard C on October 19, 2006, 02:28:18 PM

Frank — I didn't say exclusively!

Bernard C.  8)

Title: Leveler? Leveller? Levelor? Levellor? or something else?
Post by: Glen on October 19, 2006, 03:18:08 PM

You may like to see some of the men and women working on the various stages of pressed glass production at the Rindskopf factory (circa 1930s). This page (sorry for slow load) will give photos of the various stages - click on each photo for more written detail and a larger pic.

http://www.geocities.com/carni_glass_uk_2000/RindskopfHome2.html

Glen