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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: serec on October 15, 2011, 09:55:26 PM

Title: Identification? ID = Strathearn moulded star, spoke pattern
Post by: serec on October 15, 2011, 09:55:26 PM
Hi there,
I wonder if anyone has any ideas about the origins of this paperweight?  It was given to me as a child in Scotland around 45-50 years ago and I just re-discovered it recently.  I don't know if it was new then.  I can't see any obvious marks apart from a tiny possibly oval-shaped indentation near an edge on the base.  I can't make out any more detail but it doesn't look or feel like a chip or blemish.  The base is pretty smooth with a visible disc in the centre.  It's about 8cm point to point and 4cm tall.

Apologies for the quality of the picture, I've resized and compressed so many times it's barely recognisable!

Many thanks in advance for any responses.



Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: keith on October 15, 2011, 11:14:07 PM
Welcome serec,one of the pwt experts will be along soon,it looks Strathearn,maybe Vasart to me but this is not my field so to say,nice weight ;D
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: serec on October 15, 2011, 11:33:09 PM
Hi Keith,
Thanks for the welcome.  I like it too - I think paperweights could be quite addictive!
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: keith on October 16, 2011, 10:44:39 AM
...and addictive :o we had a few to start with,now around 90 :thud: ;D ;D
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: serec on October 16, 2011, 11:15:58 AM
Oh heavens!  What am I getting into?  My name is serec and I'm a paperweight-aholic!
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: SophieB on October 16, 2011, 11:54:09 AM
Hi Serec,

Definitely a Strathearn (P11 Millefiori Star Spoke Large), me think. I have never seen a Vasart with this star shape before (but KevH will tell me if I am wrong ;)). If you wish to see other paperweights of the same design, have a look at Richard More's fantastic website:

http://strathearn.smugmug.com/

Yes, paperweights are 'nicely' addictive and you will be among happy fellow addicts here on the Board...

SophieB
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: KevinH on October 16, 2011, 04:23:38 PM
... I have never seen a Vasart with this star shape before (but KevH will tell me if I am wrong ;)).
That is an interesting point. I don't know when the star mould was first used.
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: serec on October 17, 2011, 11:31:07 PM
Thank you for the replies - that's a great link, a lot of info to absorb!

Have I got this right that the factory used to be called Vasart then became Strathearn and this paperweight is from the Strathearn era?

Also, complete newbie question - the spokes are white and mesh-like, are they made of glass or of some other material that's been set into the glass?

Thank you for your patience!   
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: KevinH on October 17, 2011, 11:54:18 PM
Yes, the factory was Vasart Ltd (1956 to 1964) then renamed as Strathearn Glass. If you have some time to go Googling, you will find a good bit about the history (which goes back to the early 1920s) in a few websites.

The general look of the pattern and workmanship of this weight is consistent with regular domed weights known to be Strathearn (labelled, for example) that use the same design. The shape and look of the twist canes is quite typical.

Everything in the weight is made of glass. In simple terms, the spokes are formed by attaching lengths of white (or coloured) glass "threads" to a clear (or coloured) gather of glass then twisting while pulling the the whole thing out to a very long, thin rod, which is later cut up into small lengths after the whole thing has cooled down.
Title: Re: Identification?
Post by: serec on October 18, 2011, 12:05:12 AM
Thank you - I'll have a google!

Wow, I'm amazed the 'mesh' is glass, it's so perfectly done.  I'd like to read a bit about the manufacturing process so even more googling required!
Title: Re: Identification? ID = Strathearn moulded star, spoke pattern
Post by: Derek on October 18, 2011, 07:37:59 PM
Hi Kev

Dave Moir seems to remember that a star mould was used at Vasart
but I personally have not seen one of these star shaped weights that
is definitely Vasart.

Best regards

Derek
Title: Re: Identification? ID = Strathearn moulded star, spoke pattern
Post by: KevinH on October 18, 2011, 08:53:12 PM
Thanks for that, Dave.

Let's all keep our eyes open for one with a Vasart label ... and canes & twists that actually look more "Vasart" than "Strathearn" (but how easy is that?). :)