Author Topic: Two Glass Toadstools... (Read 5237 times)

Pinkspoons · « **on:** October 20, 2005, 10:59:54 AM »

I've had these for a while now, but have never been able to ID them. Instead they've just sat happily on one of my many shelves blissfully unaware of their lineage. I was just wondering if anyone could kindly inform me of their place in the great glass family, if any.

The blue one has remnants of a gold sticker on the bottom, and all I can make out on it is "MAD" (presumably MADE IN) and then underneath that a definite "KE", possibly preceded by an "O" and maybe followed by an "S", making it "OKES" - although this is very much a guess as the bookending letters are very very partial. The clear one has no markings whatsoever.

Anne E.B. · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2005, 04:00:56 PM »

Hi Pinkspoons.

Your lovely blue toadstool is by Avondale in Pembrokeshire. I have a similar one with the label intact which reads (in gold print): AVONDALE Hand made in Pembrokeshire Wales." There is also a picture of a glassmaker. You will find this ties in with the letters that you can see also. I think these are gorgeous. They remind me of sea creatures rather like jelly fish - very organic looking. Not too sure about the one of the left. Does it have the same kind of stem as the blue one? It also looks as if it could be Avondale too to me.

Regards - Anne E.B. :wink:

Pinkspoons · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2005, 07:11:07 PM »

Yay - that makes sense! Many thanks! :lol:

The clear one is made in the same way, although the stem is thicker and stodgier. The bases are both finished in the same way too.

I don't suppose we have an approximate age for them? I don't suspect they're very old, though.

I'm just glad to have had the sticker condundrum solved at last! Thanks again.

pamela · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2005, 08:40:02 PM »

Anne E.B. I've read your news on the mystery star based, but sorry had no further idea and mention - should I recommend to buy shoes then finally - did not dare! But I do not hesitate to bring it upwards . just a minute....

Anne E.B. · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2005, 09:55:34 PM »

Pinkspoons a quick 'google' shows that Avondale are still making original pieces

. Unfortunately they don't appear to have a website :? . However, their address is shown as Carmarthen Rd. Kilgetty, Dyfed, and a telephone number is given, when googled. They might have a catalogue of some sorts or at least some literature giving information about themselves. I'm not sure about the age of mine as I bought it at a carboot sale. I did once have an unusual small organic "sculpture" which turned out to be Avondale - and a ring holder. So presumably they make a range of items.
I just love my toadstool/mushroom. Its very tactile. I'm sure these will become very collectable in time. The odd one turns up on eBay from time to time - so check out current/completed sales to give you a (very rough) idea of secondary market value and you might see one like yours with a date given.

Pamela - may be I should buy glass shoes :lol: I will eventually get round to buying them :roll: I go out to buy food, and come back with glass!

Regards - a bare footed Anne E.B. :wink:

Pinkspoons · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:06:48 PM »

I did a quick check when the Avondale name came up - a quite similar one to my blue one sold recently for Â£20-ish. It's not a huge amount, but considering I only paid Â£2 I could indeed have done worse.

It's unusual for any company these days to not have a website, though. Most odd.

Anne E.B. · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2005, 08:00:56 PM »

I seem to have lost the original picture from my own gallery, and the Tinypic. one has disappeared, so I've done another showing my mushroom/toadstool collection. They look better in daylight!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/mushrooms2005.jpg

The large one in the middle is the Avondale. The one on the right, I think is the one that Ray previously dentified as being Heron Glass. Heron Glass are in Cumbria where Ray is. Perhaps if Ray is looking in he can confirm that it is this one and not the little blue irridescent one. My original photo was labelled, and I've forgotten which was which :roll: (another senior moment :evil:)

Although I no longer have it, I have included a pic. of the Avondale ring holder that I mentioned earlier.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/193.jpg
It has the same mottled effect and colours seen in the mushroom. Incredibly organic I think you will agree.

Your Mtarfa is an interesting one. The stem/base is as big as the top. I like the colours. I'm never quite sure if these mushrooms are meant to be paperweights or not? The larger heaver ones certainly could be. I wonder if the paperweight collectors in the other forum collect these also?

Regards - Anne E.B. :wink:

Edited 22.10.05. Caught up with Ray on the Paperweight board and he has confirmed that the small blue one is the Heron Glass.

KevinH · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:56:17 PM »

I specialise in Ysart and Ysart-related weights and so far I have not seen any mushroom thingies from those makers.

But hang on, I've just remembered that I do have a couple of hundred other paperweights, mostly tucked away in cupboards (there is very little space in my living quarters). And I think I might have a glass mushroom amongst them for which I have no idea of the maker. Maybe I should try to find it and post a pic?

However ... I do know of paperweight collectors who have several glass mushrooms proudly (and very pleasingly) displayed amongst their weights. Perhaps they believe them to be paperweights?

And paperweight dealers sometimes do offer glass mushrooms amongst their stock. For example: http://www.sweetbriar.co.uk/uploads/HeronMushrooms.jpg

In the paperweight collecting world, there are items that are regarded as "paperweight related" - so perhaps the mushrooms are grouped into that category?

For a better answer, I reckon Ray should stroll across the road and ask his local glassmakers (Heron Glass) if they make and sell them as paperweiights or simply as decorative gift items.

Ivo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2005, 02:02:26 PM »

throwing in an Avondale apple
http://tinypic.com/etrw46.jpg
<thud>

Frank · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2005, 02:17:42 PM »

Perhaps toadstools are made by glassblowers trapped in a paperweight makers body and just trying to create a new form.

Surely if paperweights, they will become of great rarity as every time you grab your papers they fall over and may become two!

I just got an apple by Andrew Holmes and it looks like it would be equally limited as a paperweight.

I guess that what I am saying is that a paperweight has to be able to serve its intended function or it is not one.

I just read Paul J Stankard's "Homage to Nature" ISBN 0 8109 4473 1. He is regarded as a paperweight artists yet his less conventional forms are not described by him as paperweights. It is a good read to get a perspective on this issue from an artists's viewpoint - and what better artist than one who is regarded with such esteem.