Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests > Glass
ID: Small geometric engraved plate, what was it used for?
jinxi:
Hi again
Having looked again at the photo, you say that it is not the Greek Key pattern, but I think it is a form of it.
Have a look at this webpage on Greek Key patterns http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/greekkey/intro.htm and your pattern seems to consist of what they refer to as the meander plus the generator!
To me it looks Edwardian, again would tie in with classical revival, Sheraton style furniture etc
Veronica
johnphilip:
I have seen quite a few pieces of this type of glass over the years , in all shapes and sizes, wine coasters for glasses or bottles under plates for finger bowls ice plates and i have bought several large footed tazzas that i treasure ( YES Paul for peanuts) i believe several firms made them Webb for one . Love em .jp sorry i must be drunk spellcheck tells me they are razzas jp ::)
Paul S.:
I have twice started this reply ... and in the light of Veronica's rapid comments, have now twice revised my reply :) - and I apologise in advance that this reply is rather long and has little to do with glass. I think Anne is going to throw this into the cafe. I'm not going to amend a third time.......sorry jp. but thanks for the enebriated response. ;D
Veronica - wow, thanks for both the culinary and history lessons. Thought the history of the liqueur type drinks very interesting - maybe C19 Regency sipping of drinks was an improvement on Hogarth's 'Gin Lane and Beer Street depravity.
As to the history of the Greek Key Motif/Design - it seems that it was a common ornamental pattern from the second half of the C18 (Georgian) onwards, both in architecture and jewellery (at least for the U.K.), petering out in the late C19 - so guess it may not have arisen solely from the Grand Tours - which were mostly to Italy, I believe.
It appears that I may have always been wrong, but in the sense that the 'key' motif' is normally understood to represent the outline, quite literally, of a key - then my piece fails in this respect. However, I hear what you say, and have looked at your link, and the outlines of the various parts that make up repeating patterns. I would think that you are right in what you say, and that the idea of a 'key motif' should not be seen as needing to actually look like a key in outline.
When you say that my pattern looks Edwardian (you may well be correct) - I have seen many examples of the traditional (key shape) key motif pattern, but don't recall having seen this precise pattern.
You refer to 'Edwardian Sharaton' - and by this I take it that you are referring to what is a sub-division of the Georgian revival i.e. copying the Adam style which originates in the late C18. This was a revival 'style' popular from about 1875 through to something like the end of the Edwardian period (1910).
Is historic design your 'thing' - rather than glass?
Anne - although I remain unsure of the use of these bowls, but whatever the purpose, then yes, I agree that my example may well be for a similar use, as it looks very much like yours. What were they for, desert of some kind?? Unless I have missed it somewhere, you don't give the size of your underplates.
Don't think I will collect any more of this design - one is enough. ;D
Paul S.:
apologies - (had some fantastic single malt today from Islay) - the correct spelling is 'inebriated'. :-[
johnphilip:
Hi Paul i am as sober as a judge if you can find a sober judge , or is it a jug ? :thud:
The Botanist/ Designer Dr Christopher Dresser used lots of variations of the Greek Key on his wares . c1880 .
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