Topic: Is octagonal rare?

[RoynMargaret]

I do not remember ever seeing a large (180mm across, weighs over 1500g) straight-sided octagonal bowl before. Is it rare, or do I just not get out much?  :pb:

It hefts and rings like lead, with a pleasant richness of 'colour' to the moulded body that has been overcut with star and tendrils to the Catherine wheel-like design.

As usual any opinions on make and age will be welcome.

Thank you.

[chopin-liszt]

Things with corners break far more easily than round things.
 
If a round thing takes a knock the forces from it can carry on going around the round thing, thus dissipating a bit.

But if it has corners, the travelling forces come to an abrupt halt when they meet the corner. They shunt together in a big pile-up in the one place and the thing cracks.

This is a general rule for round and cornery things.

It applies to glass, pottery.... and loads and loads of other things.

I don't know anything about your bowl though, sorry.

[Lustrousstone]

I would say possibly Czech crystal and fairly modern from the general style of the cutting.

[Bernard C]

Any factor of 360 plus 16 is usual for sides, or, more generally, pattern repeats.   The first number that doesn't qualify is 7, most often found in cut glass where the optical quality of the design requires that the pattern repeats don't line up.

Bernard C.     

[RoynMargaret]

"Things with corners break far more easily than round things."

Explains comparative rarity. Thanks for the insight.

Any factor of 360 plus 16 is usual for sides, or, more generally, pattern repeats.   The first number that doesn't qualify is 7, most often found in cut glass where the optical quality of the design requires that the pattern repeats don't line up.

Bernard C.     

Bernard: If only I had the wit and intelligence to understand your reply.  :huh: :huh:

Czech crystal sounds good.  :thup:

[Bernard C]

  — Not my best explanation!!!

What I meant was, see here, where an even number of sides would look quite different.

Apologies.   My only excuse is that I stood at a fair yesterday, so I'm fair knackered.

Bernard C. 

[RoynMargaret]

— Not my best explanation!!!

What I meant was, see here, where an even number of sides would look quite different.

Apologies.   My only excuse is that I stood at a fair yesterday, so I'm fair knackered.

Bernard C.  

Thanks Bernard ... I'm getting there ... slowly. I hope your fair knackering was fruitful.  :clap:

You have raised an interesting thought process - we often do not look at glass from all angles. I actually did not use this photograph or mention octagonal when seeking identity information on an amber bowl. Incidentally 8-sided is more often found in vases - quite common, in fact.