Topic: Scandinavian pre WWII - ID = Whitefriars 9099

[langhaugh]

This bowl is very similar to one by Per Lutken (the thick folded in in lip) but has bubbles. More interestingly (to me, at least) it was bought in Edinburgh just before  WWII (not by me, I should add, though I often feel that old). It's very heavy (2.24 Kg) and is 8" wide by 2" high. Any ideas would be gratefully received. TIA.


David

[a40ty]

I'm  no expert but this doesn't feel scandinavian to me. I could be wrong of course..

[robbo]

It could be a Whitefriars #9099. The 'stretched' bubbles look right.

1938 Catalogue

robbo

[Pinkspoons]

Yup, definitely WF, in Sapphire Blue, and designed by William Wilson, if memory serves (and it occasionally does). The Lütken pieces of similar design (sans bubbles) didn't come in until the mid-1950s.

[langhaugh]

Thanks. Everything seems right about that attribution. After a40ty said that it "doesn't feel scandinavian to me" I had a look at the bowl again. I agreed. Maybe it is the colour or the weight that's different. It's interesting that the Per Lutken bowl obtains the optical effect at the centre of the bowl by having a bump on the inside of the bowl, whereas Whitefriars produces the effect by grinding a depression on the outside of the bowl. Fascinating to know that this bowl was was made in Britain. I've been reading a little on Whitefriars as a result.

On a personal note, this bowl was given to my aunt as wedding present. My uncle worked as glass cutter for Edinburgh Crystal and so this bowl was appreciated but seen as "cheaper foreign glass." There's several ironies in that little tale.

Thanks again for the i.d.

David