Topic: Burmese ware dish - mystery object quiz:)

[Littleblackhen]

I have this dish, which I originally thought was an ashtray.  The centre fluoresces under ultra violet light.  I believe it to be Burmese ware, possibly by Thomas Webb or Fenton.

Quite by accident I found a website which showed me the original function of this dish, and as it is quite unusual and not something I had come across before, I thought I would see if anyone here knew what it is a part of?

Just for a bit of fun

[Lustrousstone]

I think it's a holder for a fairylight. Definitely Burmese ware

[Littleblackhen]

Awww!  I really thought it would hold you for longer than that   I shall have to search for something more challenging.

I came across it here http://www.fairy-lamp.com/

Do you have any idea of the age of this by the way?  I see on the fairy lamp site that they seem to have been made until quite recently by Fenton, but this one feels older as it is quite dirty (inground into the glass) and has base wear.  I don't know if the recent ones were uranium glass either.

It is quite intriguing that they have a Burmese ware collection for sale on that site, maybe I should buy a dome to match and make myself a fairy lamp

[Lustrousstone]

My instinct is Webb - the colour looks right compared to pieces I've got and see this one

The question is can you afford a dome 

[Littleblackhen]

My instinct is Webb - the colour looks right compared to pieces I've got and see this one

The question is can you afford a dome 

They have some domes for sale for 150 dollars each plus postage from Australia, and the complete fairy lamp seems to be worth around 1000 dollars, so it would be a good investment probably.  I am not sure if it would be a good match though, the domes for sale seem a paler pink.

I probably won't bother, because I am not even sure I like it with it being so plain.

They have a Lonely fairy lamps parts matchmaking service on the site, I might let it find a match on there

[Andy]

Janet,
I think its a pretty little dish, just as it is :clap:

Andy

[Jim Sapp]

Your dish is indeed a fairy lamp base.  It is Clarke's model 140, c.1885ish.  The base was made by Thomas Webb, but commissioned by Clarke.  Webb made all Victorian-era Burmese fairy lamps.  The lamp is documented in Clarkes catalog and is illustrated on this webpage:

http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/ClarkeCatalog101150.html

Typically, but not always, the base will be stamped with the Thomas Webb trademark in the center of the polished pontil and stamped with the Clarke trademark on one of the folds.  The marks are easier to feel that they are to see. 

If the base is for sale, I am an interested buyer.

[Littleblackhen]

Hi Jim

Thanks for the link, it is good to know exactly what I have

There don't seem to be any marks, either visible or to feel.

I am happy to sell, please make me an offer as I really don't have any idea of the value of the base alone.  As you have more knowledge of fairy lamps than me then I will leave it to you to offer a reasonable amount

The base does have a small chip on one corner which can just be made out in the photos if you look closely, and it has a few marks which look like inground dirt, but overall it is is in good condition given it's age.