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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => USA => Topic started by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 05:58:08 AM

Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing" - ID = Bryce Bros
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 05:58:08 AM
Hi Folks,

Well, the beautiful sparkles through the amber-y colour
got me on this one so I bought it but for the life of me I can't
figure out what it was used/made for. Anyone ever seen one of these?
I paid a whole .50 cents Canadian for it at my fave 2nd hand store :D

It's about 2 and a half inches high and 4 and a half inches across
the bottom and is quite thick glass. The piece is "all one piece as opposed to a cuplike thing with a separate saucer" No makers  marks or anything. It really is quite an amazing definate cut-looking design, like cut crystal. Would this be what you glass addicts folks call "pressed glass"? :D  I ask this because  I also see trace of a line which makes me think it was molded (I used to make molds for jewelry and always had to clean up the mold lines ;) ) but the definition of the "cut designs" is quite well done but I think too "smoothed" to be direct cuts.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1616

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1617

As ever, thanks for any replies, answers about what it's for and who might have made it even more so ;)

Kanadiana
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: heartofglass on April 25, 2006, 07:19:25 AM
Hi!
My guess is that it's a one-piece fairy lamp.
Fairy lamps are small candle lamps or night lights.The small tea-light or votive type candle sits on the dish, & radiates its soft glow through the shade or dome that rests on the dish/base.
They have been made from the 1880s to the present day,in all different types  of glass, & many shape & design variants.
Usually they are in 2 or even 3 parts, but Fenton made some 1-piece ones.
Yours is pressed glass, but I'm not certain of age or maker.
Maybe it is Fenton.....or probably of American origin at least.
Try putting a small candle (eg. a tea-light) in it. It will look very pretty!
Hope this helps! :)
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 07:47:12 AM
Thanks Marinka ;)

This little piece is wickedly lively with the sun shining through it. I get bright sunlight through the kitchen window every late afternoon and evening and that's where it does it's sparkles and intense glows. I love it!

I don't know how old or young it is, but I see absolutely no signs of wax where candles would surely have dripped and left residue, and I wouldn't want to put a candle in it because I'd hate to have wax drips in it, they're a horror to remove.

So ... a "fairy lamp" is a possibility then ... and pressed glass it is. Thank you for all the info you gave.

By the way ... Happy Anzac Day (belated by a day?)

Kanadiana
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Glen on April 25, 2006, 08:06:26 AM
My first thought was that it might be a honey, without its lid. But then I looked at the dimensions you'd given and I changed my mind. Too tiny.

Husband (Steve) took a look at it and he has suggested a match or spill holder. The size is right for that.

Oh and yes, it is pressed glass. A most interesting piece.

Glen
Title: Post subject
Post by: vidrioguapo on April 25, 2006, 08:09:16 AM
Tip for removing wax.....I put items in the freezer for a while....wax gets rock hard but then it just "flicks" off easily....It really works, but not sure if it good for the glass, although no problems so far.  I have only done it so far with chunky 30's candlesticks,  haven't tried anything more delicate....so I take no responsibility for any damage for this suggestion.  I do not recommend putting item in warm water until the freezing process has truly finished!!!!!
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: heartofglass on April 25, 2006, 08:16:38 AM
Hi Kanadiana,
thanks for remembering Anzac day, it is today. It's still the 25th here, 6.00pm in the evening.
Maybe your fairy lamp was never used for it's intended purpose. As you have said, it is a lovely decorative item in it's own right.
They are very collectable. There is an excellent website dedicated to them-
http://www.fairylampclub.com/
Enjoy!
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 08:46:04 AM
Quote from: "Glen"
Oh and yes, it is pressed glass. A most interesting piece.

Glen


GLEN: Thanks :) Yes, it's definately an interesting piece and a mystery to be solved LOL I'd thought of food or dining purpose at first, but now am not so sure.  What's the purpose of the flat saucer type flaring part if not to put something on? A little spoon? Used matches? Hmmmm, I wonder of there should be an ashtray with it? Fantasies run wild here LOL

I think a fairy light really is a possibility after browsing them a while ago ... but not sure at all. If a fairy light, then I think some kind of cover or lid should be with it?

Pressed glass ... there, I'm learning about glass here ... and am totally enjoying myself :)
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Frank on April 25, 2006, 08:55:41 AM
I doubt it is a fairy lamp, does a tea candle fit in and not touch the sides? I am fairly certain it is a toothpick holder. Not high enough for a spill holder and match holders incorporated a striker. The tray is for the used picks.
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 09:07:33 AM
Toothpicks makes sense ;)

I just dropped a tea candle and it fits the round bottom perfectly flush but the sides of the glass dome outward from the base so don't touch the sides of the candle.

I can't see anyone spending so much care on the whole "design" of this thing without considering ease in inserting and removing, and LIGHTING the candle though. A real pain to deal with the candle. It doesn't make sense. Toothpicks makes way more sense.
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Lustrousstone on April 25, 2006, 09:48:32 AM
A mustard or condiment pot perhaps with saucer for spoon
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Glen on April 25, 2006, 10:24:22 AM
Yes, I was wondering about a pickle! The fixed under-dish being for a spoon.

I've not seen a toothpick holder with a fixed under-tray like that (but then I haven't made a study of toothpick holders, so I'm not really qualified to judge).

I keep wondering if it has a part missing - something that would be on top. And just for a smile, the only reasonably matching shape I have come across (but not the pattern, so this is not an attempt at a geniune answer) is in Lechler's "Toy Glass" - and is an ice cream cone holder!

Glen
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: heartofglass on April 25, 2006, 12:24:18 PM
I went back & looked at the pics again, & after reading everyone's ideas, I'm starting to doubt my fairy lamp attribution.
I think one-piece fairy lamps are open at the base, for ease of placing a candle.
Oh well, I'm o.k with admitting I was wrong!
It's all a learning experience! :)
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Frank on April 25, 2006, 01:50:17 PM
Here is a Monart toothpick holder:
(http://www.ysartglass.com/Moncat/Images/QJ.jpg)
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Glen on April 25, 2006, 02:04:55 PM
Oh that's cute! Did any other makers do that shape?

Glen
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: butchiedog on April 25, 2006, 02:45:30 PM
Hi Kanadiana,

I don't know who made your piece, but admitting my age lol! I do know that it is for wooden matches.

When I was a kid (1950s- early 60s era) many folks kept little dishes like this on their kitchen stoves and I believe the match companies offered them as a premium. Some of these even have the match company logo pressed into the bottom. The one we had said "Safety Match" on it.

This was back in the day before pilot lights were common on kitchen stoves and you had to light the burners and the oven using a match. The tray part on the bottom is for setting spent matches in to cool. The spent matches that weren't burned down far could be re-lit on a burner that was already lit and used to light another burner, at least that is how we did it and maybe it was because my parents were kids of the great Depression and taught not to waste anything.

I don't know what they were called, but I would say they were like a more modern version of a spill-vase, but for wooden matches instead. --- Mike
Title: Post subject
Post by: vidrioguapo on April 25, 2006, 02:57:14 PM
Candle wax freezer tip...yes it works on brass and fabrics too. Emmi
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Sid on April 25, 2006, 04:19:26 PM
Hello:

This is a mustard without the matching lid. It was made by Bryce Brothers of Pittsburgh, PA likely in the period 1885-87.  I will confirm the Line number tonight when I get home to my reference books.

It comes in clear, amber, blue and canary (vaseline).

Very nice piece and an even better price!

Sid
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: pamela on April 25, 2006, 04:51:44 PM
Hello to all  :)
Most interesting thread - thank you and congrats on that lovely glass Kanadiana  :D
here is a blue one which I placed in the Miscellaneous section - now I know why  :wink:

http://www.pressglas-pavillon.de/misc/02517.html

couldn't find the maker so far... Sid please?!  8)
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 06:10:35 PM
Match holder seems to be a winner then ... I sure wish there was some kind of mark or something on it. Can't spot one though.

K.
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 07:45:11 PM
Ah, that makes me older than you  :shock:  The way you were talking I thought you were my siblings generations at least (1940's LOL)

Yikes ... that 2nd one (Frank posted a pic of a pice like that too, in this thread) is amazing ... right now it says 13 bids and price up to $606.53 U.S. ... therefore would be more in Canadian. Nice sale happening there!

Here is a picture of the bottom of my piece. The cutting pattern is on the bottom (outside) and the inner tray part is actually smooth, as is the inside of the (match/tooth stick/pick holder). The smoothness of inner side of tray part shows the mold lines (4 or a cross + ) that does not show on the smooth center of bottom. There are 2 flaws inside on the floor of the container part that look possibly like melted/burn marks/bumps??? Not a clue if they're original to the piece.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1637

K.
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Frank on April 25, 2006, 10:07:49 PM
All the match holders I have seen had an etched striker patch.

Lyon and Turnbull are very good at describing things incorrectly. I found the description as toothpick holder in some Moncrieff literature.

One problem is that normal matches are too short for this item, so apart form having nothing to strike it on you would need tweezers to get the matches out. The price that one reached is remarkable, these usually sell for closer to the 100 pound mark ($150) but the Watsons's label is a rarity, worth 100 pounds to collectors of Monart alone. But do understand that Monart was made in very small quantities, only to order and completely hand shaped. These are certainly rare and originally Monart retailed for more than Argy Rosseau. The difference is that there are relatively few Monart collectors and while each piece is unique the sale prices rarely reflect the actual rarity. I have seen exceptional and unique pieces sell on eBay for only fifty pounds ($70) that had the been a comparable picec of Schneider, for example, would fetch several hundreds.

For comparison here is a fake Monart matchstriker:
http://www.ysartglass.com/forum/strikerdiamond.jpg
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Sid on April 25, 2006, 10:11:57 PM
Hello:

I am back home again and have my references in front of me.  This little dish is Bryce Bros. No. 720 and is actually a mustard without its lid not a match or toothpick holder.  I will edit my previous posting to reflect this.

It remains collectible without the lid and is shown on page 27 of Glass Toothpick Holders (2nd Edition) by Neila and Tom Bredehofts & Bob and Jo Sanford.

Sid
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: butchiedog on April 25, 2006, 10:28:06 PM
Frank,

The older wooden matches I remember were longer and you didn't need a striker, but could strike them on the stove burner or even flick them with your fingernail to light them. --- Mike
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Kanadiana on April 25, 2006, 11:10:18 PM
Sid ... Thanks so much for looking this up for me and solving the mystery. Did they happen to say when it would have been made so I can learn how old/young it is? And it's nice that it's still collectible without it's lid.

I just googled for "bryce bro's mustard" and came up with this page ... scroll down to see these folks have a clear glass one that looks like mine, and they say pre-1891. And if they're asking $36 for their clear glass one, i wonder how different a price it would be for the amberry coloured one.

http://www.patternglass.com/Store/Toothpicks/page3MiscNov.htm

If my .50 cents bought me something made before 1900 I'm tickled to know it :)

K.
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: Sid on April 26, 2006, 12:30:29 AM
Hello:

The toothpick book that I referenced earlier just says prior to 1891 for the Bryce mustard. I would place it circa 1885-87 based on the colours available which were at their peak in that period.

They list the clear at $45 and amber toothpick at $50 for what that is worth.

Sid
Title: Amber-ish coloured glass "thing"
Post by: David555 on April 26, 2006, 05:33:41 PM
Quote
And on the subject of match holders and spills, I don't believe they all have "strikers". I know that matches used to be struck anywhere and everywhere (fire grate, wall, even the bottom of boots!)


I hope the original poster does not mind but I could not resist Glen's remark ref my item

I know it has some age and is pressed glass in amberina - very well made with no nasty mould lines.

OK it's a shoe not a boot, but you get the idea - I think it is a match holder with the strike pad on the bottom or sole of the shoe (pic 3) - I have no idea about maker

(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8307/boot11ed.th.jpg) (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=boot11ed.jpg)

(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7154/boot23aa.th.jpg) (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=boot23aa.jpg)

(http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/388/boot36tq.th.jpg) (http://img280.imageshack.us/my.php?image=boot36tq.jpg)

5.25" long, 2.5" tall - opening is 3"L x 1"W x 1.2"D


Thanks


Adam P