Hi,
I am having a break from the XP upgrade and using the parts I have already got up and running. Unfortunately, my main reference images are still on the "old" computer so it's not easy to check for details and to illustrate what I might find.
But ... in my web pages (see my profile) are cane tables for Signed Paul Ysart weghts and for early Vasart (Ysart Brothers period). From detailed links out of those, the following examples may help to settle the matter:
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http://www.btinternet.com/~kevh.glass/pages/salv-ybros/cane-item15.htmThis shows canes of the "inner daisy" pattern similar to those in the centre and first row of the queried example. Since my example has a "Y" cane included it is 'definitely' a "Salvador / Ysart Brothers" item.
http://www.btinternet.com/~kevh.glass/pages/salv-ybros/cane-item11.htmThis is a more typical (not so good quality) item most likely from the Ysart Brothers period. It has a cane which is similar in structure - and overall appearance - to those in the outer row of the queried weight.
http://www.btinternet.com/~kevh.glass/pages/paul-ysart/signed/Detail018.htmThat shows a Paul Ysart weight, from the 1970s, which has canes of somewhat variable quality and some of which are very much like ones he used from the 1930s onwards. One is a Yellow-White Cog construct and another is a Green-White-Yellow construct, both being broadly similar to the Yellow Cog compex cane in the queried piece.
I have the greatest respect for Willie Manson but in this instance I feel he is incorrect.
Although I do not have an example of the actual Yellow Cog cane from the queried weight, I think it is clear from my Paul Ysart example listed above, that it is easy to confuse "lesser quality" Paul Ysart canes with "regular" early Vasart.
What is even more confusing is the fact that "inner daisy" canes such as those seen in many early Vasart weights were also used by Paul Ysart - and in the 1930s, too! See, for example:
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http://www.btinternet.com/~kevh.glass/pages/paul-ysart/signed/Detail002.htmThis shows an "inner daisy" cane which, on its own, I would usually attribute to early Vasart!
And that point leads into even more confusion ... were "inner daisy" canes used by Salvdor in paperweights in the 1930s? So far, I have found absolutely no evidence to prove this, but I am keeping an open mind.
Finally, about the base - the description of "polished smooth with wear around the pontil" really needs more clarification, and preferably a good photo image. Often, early Vasart weights are ground in quiite a rough manner but I do have examples with varying grades of finish and some are very tidy indeed. But they all differ in detail from the equivalent base finishes of any of my Paul Ysart weights.