Topic: Old crystal bowl, Regency? Sugar? Sweetmeat? English Irish?

[Andy]

Ive had this nice old bowl for years, Hajdamach and Millers lead me to think , by the cuts,(strawberry diamonds)
pattern, and base, it may be circa 1810.
Do you think sugar/sweetmeat? (what was sweetmeat?)
Irish or English? Similar in Hajdamach from Dudley and Richardson.
All theories welcome,
Cheers
Andy
ps. its 4 5/8" tall, 4 inches across top, rim 1/4 inch thick

[Lustrousstone]

Sweetmeat, an item of confectionery or sweet food. Can't help with the glass though

[Andy]

Thanks Christine,
I was getting confused with sweetbreads!
quote from www.wisegeek.com, and
WARNING, read this at your peril

Sweetmeats often get confused with sweetbreads. The two could not be more different. Sweetbreads are offal, taken from the thymus gland, pancreas or genitalia of young animals, most often calves, pigs or lambs. They are roundish in shape and are a favorite ingredient in many European dishes. They are a far cry from confectionery, however, and one might elicit confused looks if one requested sweetbreads at a candy shop or ordered sweetmeats for dinner.

 
Now back to my nice bit of glass
Andy

[krsilber]

Strawberry diamond was a very popular motif right up through the mid-19th C, so I'd be hesitant to place your piece necessarily that early.  In fact, I was kind of surprised to see a possible date of 1810 in the book, as I usually associate patterns without such fine cutting that early.  Although yours does bear a strong resemblance to the piece on pg. 45, it's not quite the same, so that isn't particularly helpful.

Strawberry diamond was so widespread (at least in America and England; I don't know about Ireland) that I imagine you might have to find the shape in a reference somewhere to actually get a positive ID.


Mmmm, offal!  Doesn't it just make your mouth water?

[Leni]

I do find cut glass so difficult     I've been trying to see what happens where the pattern comes right up to the edge of the rim.  It almost looks 'cut off'     What do the cut glass experts think?  Isn't it unusual to finish a pattern this way, with half patterns at the rim rather than, for example, a plain band, or something?  Does this give any hints as to age / maker?   :huh:   

[Andy]

I see what you mean, Leni,
around the rim is a bit less than half a diamond. it is beveled and finely polished, on the inside
and outside,so it doesnt look wrong. Its  not been repaired or ground down.
Regards
Andy