Topic: URANIUM cut glass marmalade, with square foot (in Honey Amber!)

[mrvaselineglass]

Hello all:
I have a weakness for uranium glass pieces that use a heavy percentage of uranium salts.  If the maker puts in approximately 2%, it turns out the normal yellow-green.  However, if the percentage is increased to greater amounts (like 10%+), the color is a rich 'HONEY AMBER' color.  I just got this piece last week.  The foot is 1 7/8" square.  It has a highly polished pontil and extreme wear on the base where it came in contact with the table. The top rim diameter is 4 7/8" (exactly 12 cm).  The height is exactly 3 1/2".  Other than a couple little nibbles on the square foot, and a couple of chigger marks on the high points on the rim, there is no other damage.  I don't even have to flick this piece, just rub across the high pointed rim, and it sings to me.  Weight is 14.65 oz.  Extremely minimal scratches on the inner surface.  This was a seldom used piece.  Based on the style of cutting, and the square foot, I estimate that this was made during the first 10 years uranium salts were used in glass as a colorant.  That makes it somewhere between 1830-1840.  I do not know the maker.  I know that Harrach made uranium glass in the 1840s, but the word spread quickly among glassmakers and within a year or two after it was first made, a lot of companies were using it as a colorant.  The color in the photo links is accurate.
http://www.vaselineglass.org/cutmarmalade1830s.jpg

And.....when you have three pieces with a square foot, it is officially a 'COLLECTION'!  (The swan salt has a 'lemon squeezer' foot too).
http://www.vaselineglass.org/cutmarmalade1830s3.jpg

Mr. Vaseline Glass
(aka: Dave Peterson)

[Ivo]

I used to have the matching open salt which was identified as <was it Burtles and Tate?> Manchester 1840s - 1850s - so quite late for square feet...

[Lustrousstone]

 :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Lovely

[Carolyn Preston]

Look, Christine is made of uranium  :24: :24: :24: :24:


Carolyn

[samted25]

Hi,

Just joined this forum.  What a source!

Thanks to Mr. Vaseline Glass for explaining that honey amber colour.  I have always had a hard time trying to describe it...it looks amber but has this hint of green to it and it is not I guess a "true" amber.

In anycase, I just purchased an full dinner service of this type of glass.  When held at an angle it shows the most incredible green colour.  I haven't had a chance to put it under a black light yet but am 100% positive that it will glow like mad.  The set includes 10 inch dinner plates, and various assorted stemware.  The set is incredibly heavy with deep cuts as in the pictures.

From what I have researched I am guessing this might be English but am not sure.  I bought it in the US.

Any thoughts gladly welcomed and many thanks in advance.

Regards, Cary

[mrvaselineglass]

I have seen numerous shapes in that pattern, including serving pieces, salt/pepper shakers, etc.  I still have not tracked down who made it, but is is an elegant service and none of the pieces are cheap! 

[samted25]

Yes, it has a drape styled cut pattern, with a chain styled decoration around the rim.  The drape is cut with a fine diamond point design.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Lustrousstone]

It doesn't have an English look to my eye, but I could be wrong. And the fact that Dave has seen lots and I've seen none in the UK would suggest the same.

[samted25]

OK, good to know...I am now looking around at Steuben...the colour may be right...

[samted25]

Here is a picture of the one of the sizes of the goblets...