Topic: Huge Victorian ruby glass bowl, or is it?

[Tigerchips]

I've just bought what looks like a victorian ruby glass bowl. It is 12 inches in diameter and has victorian style feet. There are a few things about it that i'm unsure about.  
http://tinypic.com/dd23w9.jpg

As you can see from this next picture, it has an un-ground pontil mark and some unusual scratches next to it. Has is been tampered with or were these scratches left by the glass blower? There is absolutely no ware to the feet which is very suspicious. Near the end of the rim the ruby colour fades out and then in again.  :?
http://tinypic.com/dd245f.jpg

This next picture shows some unusual white streaks on the rim of the bowl. You can also see a slight green tinge in the clear glass feet.  :?
http://tinypic.com/dd24j7.jpg

Is it possible that the feet are vaseline glass? I've seen Victorian Cranberry glass feet in Millers described as such.

Will I be able to tell if it is genuinely victorian by using an Ultra Violet Light?

Will a tiny UV flashlight (used for notes) do the job?  

Any help would be very welcome. Thank's.  

[Cathy B]

Hi there - someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it looks too thick to be Victorian??? Also I can't see any tong marks on the ruffles, which suggests it might have been mould blown?

(and she ducks to dodge the flying bullets :wink:  :wink:  )

Regards,
Cathy

[David E]

I have seen similar feet on Sowerby items...

{rushes round to find spade to dig very deep hole}

[Cathy B]

I have seen similar feet on Sowerby items...

David - what about the pontil, and the weird shading effect?

Cathy

[David E]

Cathy, I wasn't suggesting it was Sowerby but that the feet were similar. As the copying of styles was quite a common practice the comment may have been a clue. I'm probably wrong, hence the need for a deep hole :wink:

[Leni]

Sorry Chips, wasn't ignoring you, just didn't want to be 'shot down in flames' by those who know so much more than me   :oops:  :roll:

I, too, have seen feet like this on old stuff, but I agree that it looks a little bit too thick to be Victorian - I wouldn't think it was English, though I could be wrong.    

A UV flashlight is fine for telling if it's uranium or similar reactive glass, but won't guarantee its age in any way.  I'm puzzled as to why there is such a little bit of white at the very edges, but not apparently all round - or am I just not seeing it clearly?  Is it meant to be a fine 'tape' round the edge?  

Don't think it looks mould blown.  The feet look to be 'crimped' or tooled in some way, but I agree they don't have enough wear as you would expect on an old piece.  Of course, it could have stood in a display cabinet.  

Pontil mark looks ok, but the scratches are a mystery.  Can you look with a magnifying glass and see if there is any sign of them being later or contemporaneous (swallowed that dictionary again!  :roll: )

I actually like it very much, anyway!  

[Tigerchips]

On closer inspection the scratches dont appear within the pontil mark so perhaps these were made by the glass blower. I can't think why though.

Is it possible that a shifty dealer has taken off a blob of glass much like that seen on strathearn glass bases?

Saying that, it still doesn't explain why the scratches are so numorous and long.

There are no other white streaks present. There is a white spot but i think it is just un-disolved silica.

See you all later.  

[Connie]

Grabbing the shovel and climbing in the hole.

The first time I viewed your bowl, my impression was a modern piece as seen at TJ Maxx.

My second look has not changed my impression.  I think the scratches are a poor attempt to smooth the pontil mark.  JMHO  :lol:

[Leni]

I think the scratches are a poor attempt to smooth the pontil mark.  JMHO  :lol:

Fools!  Don't they know that a rough pontil mark is a sure sign that the item is a genuine antique, and therefore very valuable?   :roll:  (According to 'that wonderful auction site', anyway!  :twisted: )

Leni  :wink:

[Tigerchips]

I have just noticed some small tong marks not on the end of the rim but just before it curves over.

On closer inspection it looks like a blackcurrant colour. The same colour as Ribena.
It weighs approx 1080 grams though I think the base is taking up most of the weight.  

More pictures
http://tinypic.com/dhblv8.jpg

The Flash on my camera is showing up the bubbles in this next picture.
http://tinypic.com/dhbnd3.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dhbnk8.jpg

As I pay very little for my glass, It is OK for you to give it a good kicking.  :lol: