Topic: Maker of unusual trapped air pitcher

[desiraerae]

I am new to this, so here it goes I have a pitcher that I have done research on, I purchased at an estate auction & am questionable about it's age & maker. Does anyone have a clue?

[heartofglass]

Nice item, love the colour!
This type of glass is known as Mother-of-Pearl satin glass, also known as air-trap satin.
First made in the Victorian era, manufacturers include Thomas Webb & Sons, Stevens & Williams in England, Mt Washington in the USA. Was also made by Bohemian firms including Harrach.
It was at its height of fashion & popularity in the 1880s.
It has been more recently reproduced by Murano glass makers in the mid-late 20th century. However, to a knowledgeable eye, the recent repros are easy to detect. They tend to have a granular, slightly gritty texture rather than the silky smoothness of the Victorian pieces.
Have a feel of the pitcher- if it is silky smooth then it is the real deal. This is due to the Victorian makers using a strong (now banned for health & safety reasons) white acid solution in order to create the satin finish.
Recent satin items tend to be sand-blasted rather than acidulated & thus have a granular texture.
Also, the airtrap patterns can be a bit awkward on the repros, & sometimes the colours are a bit too bright for the Victorian era. Some still retain labels that show their Murano origin.
Your pitcher, or ewer, is a lovely shade of pale lime green that does look like an authentic Victorian colour.
The air-trap pattern is called rain-drop. I think it is most likely English in origin.

[KevinH]

This type of glass is known as Mother-of-Pearl satin glass, also known as air-trap satin.

I have always been a bit confused by the various names given to satin finished air trap glass. From the books I have, it appears that "Mother of Pearl" was a term used in the USA and possibly generalised by collectors.

In England, "Satin glass" seems to have been the more usual term used - and it may or may not have had air trap inclusions.

Some companies had special names for this type of finish. Browsing page 309 of British Glass 1800-1914 by Charles Hajdamach, gives us:
In England
- Boulton and Mills ... "Nacre De Perle"
- Stevens and Williams ... "Verre de Soie"
- Richardson's ... "Tartan"
- Walsh Walsh ... "Plush"

And the same source tells us that in America, "Plush" and "Pearl Satin" were also used as well as "Mother of Pearl".

[Was "Rainbow Satin" also used by Thomas Webb?]

As an extra point, "air trap" has sometimes been used incorrectly. I have a vase, purchased at a London (UK) auction house, which was described as "air trap" but is simply a moulded form with thin ridged diamond-shaped decoration and having no air trap at all!

[heartofglass]

Sorry for my lack of specificity! :huh:
I was just trying to give a general answer to the question posed in the post.
I don't know exactly who made this piece, so I can't name the exact trade name for this type of glass that the original maker would have used. However, from it's general appearance, it seems to be an original Victorian piece, most likely of English origin.
I was just putting forth what I know about this type of glass from the books I've read. (Currently my glass library stands at over 60 books)
In Australia this glass is simply called "satin glass". Personally I prefer either "Mother of Pearl Satin" or "air-trap satin" as they are more descriptive. Satin glass could be any glass with a matte or acid finish.
For instance I purchased a piece of Burmese glass recently which was described as being "Satin glass". Certainly it has an acid finish but it is not simply satin glass as such!

[desiraerae]

Thank you for the information. I was puzzled also by the odd shape. I have been looking on line for a similar item & havn't seen one. 

[desiraerae]

Also another thing that has puzzled me is it is one color. Items I have looked at have been encased over a white

[heartofglass]

Well, that is unusual. I have not seen any examples of this type of glass that didn't have the white lining.
I have numerous pieces of this glass, for example, vases of different types, rose bowls, a fairy lamp, a biscuit barrel. All of them have the white lining regardless of the outer colour.
The shape is unusual too. But I still think it is Victorian.
Does it feel silky smooth to the touch?

[desiraerae]

Marinka it does feel smooth to the touch. I'm posting 2 more photo's . Thank you

[Lustrousstone]

I wonder if it is a repro. In Truit and Truit Collectible Bohemian Glass 1880-1040 p 136 there is an air trap pitcher in pink on white with a very similar shape but the neck is more proportionate, the lip is more elegantly shaped and the handle goes from the rim to the body rather than the neck. No maker though