Topic: Inherited a paperweight collection

[alan2001]

one of the pears does look like that, yes.

we had a very quick look through them again tonight and discovered hardly any with markings, which is a shame. a few of them have 'made in poland' stickers, and there is this one.

underneath it says:

700

Caithness

Whitefriars Summer Blue

Scotland

not sure why it says Caithness AND Whitefriars...?  :huh:

thanks for all the comments so far. i think we're beginning to slowly identify the chinese ones...

[Wuff]

not sure why it says Caithness AND Whitefriars...?  :huh:

Caithness took over Whitefriars in 1980/81 and since then produced a "Whitefriars series": "Summer Blue" is one of them - made in 1988 with a planned edition size of 100, but only 91 were actually produced.

[KevinH]

As a broad indication of mid to late 20th century Chinese manufacture, the base of many of their paperweights shows an uneven base finishing (not properly round, or round with an obvious indent) which is also rough ground rather than smooth and polished. But newer Chinese (and Taiwanese) weights can show much improved finishing with many being smoothly polished and well rounded.

Also note that a rough ground base does not mean something is definitely Chinese. Lots of modern Studio makers around the world use a rough grinding for finishing. Also, a base that is not properly round can be found on some modern studio pieces, too.

[Wuff]

not sure why it says Caithness AND Whitefriars...?  :huh:

Caithness took over Whitefriars in 1980/81 and since then produced a "Whitefriars series": "Summer Blue" is one of them - made in 1988 with a planned edition size of 100, but only 91 were actually produced.

Forgot two things to mention and ask, respectively:
1. The design was by Allan Scott.
2. Interesting is the base signature with "Whitefriars" actually written out: would you allow us to use your images for the Caithness catalogue on Scotlandsglass (link in the footer) - you'd be mentioned as copyright holder, of course.

Thanks and best regards - Wolf

[alan2001]

thanks again, folks.

2. Interesting is the base signature with "Whitefriars" actually written out: would you allow us to use your images for the Caithness catalogue on Scotlandsglass (link in the footer) - you'd be mentioned as copyright holder, of course.

of course you can, thanks for asking! don't worry about any copyright text.

[theglassnut]

ALAN, threre is a weight in photo, IMG_4221 just to the right of the green mdina with the knob on top, it has what looks to be orange and black around the outside with a central cane. could you post a close up pic, it might be interesting!.

kindest regards theglassnut...

[keith]

IMG 4217 the blue and white mushroom on the far left looks like a Wedgewood weight,does it have anything on the base?Keith.

[alan2001]

ALAN, threre is a weight in photo, IMG_4221 just to the right of the green mdina with the knob on top, it has what looks to be orange and black around the outside with a central cane. could you post a close up pic, it might be interesting!

Hi nut 

it's a strange wee thing. there's no clear glass, it's solid colour all the way round. i'm guessing the millefiori is only painted on and there are no markings on it anywhere. but here are some photos anyway. 

[alan2001]

IMG 4217 the blue and white mushroom on the far left looks like a Wedgewood weight,does it have anything on the base? Keith.

no markings at all. would you call it a paperweight? it would be pretty impractical! but here are some photos anyway... 

[alan2001]

right then, one more post tonight!  

i had a closer look at these two. the coloured one is nothing special looking, but the clear one is absolutely gorgeous. it's definitely become my favourite out of the 116. what makes them potentially interesting, however, is what's inscribed by hand on their bases. sorry the photos are rather unclear.

the clear one says:

CAITHNESS - SCOTLAND - SAMPLE - STARWATCH SILVER

the coloured one says:

CAITHNESS - SCOTLAND - SAMPLE - NEON-3


cheers again!  :thup:
alan