Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests > Glass
ID: Small geometric engraved plate, what was it used for?
Paul S.:
must admit jp, I didn't know he was into the plants as well.
jinxi:
Hi Paul
In answer to your question:-
Is historic design your 'thing' - rather than glass?
I am interested in design, past and present, and glass, amongst other things. I cannot see how anyone can be seriously interested in glass without a corresponding serious interest in design, to me the two go hand in hand.
You are right in that the Grand Tour often focussed on Italy but some ventured further afield to Greece, Balkans and Near East; Byron, for example. The standard classical education included both Latin and Ancient Greek and study of their respective ancient texts and therefore the whole of the classical world was known to them and held some interest. Think it depended upon the courage of' the individual and the size of his purse. Italy was nearer, safer and easier.
Anyway, returning to the Greek Key pattern, it is also found in Roman mosaics, at Pompeii, for example, so even those visiting Italy came across it.
Veronica
Paul S.:
quote today from Veronica - 'I cannot see how anyone can be seriously interested in glass without a corresponding serious interest in design, to me the two go hand in hand'.
Very laudable comment, but you'd be surprised how many people here won't even know what it is that you are talking about. The ebay sellers simply want an attribution so they can sell switly and move on the the next piece, and for too many people glass is simply something that shatters if dropped.
Byron certainly did the Grand Tour thingy, and then again later when he was fleeing his creditors and for screwing his half sister, and then ended up 'pushing up daisies' in Greece - just the sort of character that real history is made of. Unfortunately, it didn't prove 'safe' for him.
I would have thought that there is less attributable design in glass now than, say, back when this plate was made. I guess it's just another case of the conceptual versus the traditional. Of course if the makers just made sure their name was always etched on, then we wouldn't have a problem. ;)
You have obviously chosen a very interesting angle in glass study - should keep you busy for ever I would think. As for a date on my 'plate' - and in view of comments from more knowedgeable people than me..........we will have to leave it as possibly somewhere between 1880 and 1910, and I might take it with me on one of my visits to the V. & A. - for their opinion.
thanks for your interesting contribution to this thread. :)
jinxi:
Paul you could always email pics to the V & A, I did so recently for the first time with an unusual old ceramic bowl and was delighted by their swift and detailed response. The bowl was no great shakes, but old and had aroused my curiousity and I really appreciated their reply. Many thanks for the kind comments still trying to get to grips with message board - this is my first experience of this form of communication!
Veronica
claretjugcollector:
hi ! this plate looks to me like the glass insert of an plated epergne made by elkington - somethink like that ...
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