Topic: Green glass epergne 16"

[shineyobjects]

I was bidding on this the other day at the local auction house I liked the look of it not normally a epergne fan but I thought if I could pick it up cheap why not I had a £70 bid fancied doing some research on the glass it self. I was suprised how much it went for, it went for £200 inI the end.
 I was wondering if anyone has any information on this glass. There was also a 4" chance bowl which went for much more than it was worth!

[Leni]

I'm a little surprised that the epergne you picture went for as much as £200, even though this sort of frilly Uranium glass is rising in price lately (which is good for me, as a lot of my collection is now worth about twice what I paid!  ), as I think it's a 'marriage'.  The central flute looks to me to be a different colour glass from the side flutes.  Have you tested it under UV light?  I wouldn't be surprised if there was a difference in the way they fluoresce.   Personally, that's not a great problem to me, as I have an epergne which is a 'marriage' too.  It was a way of getting one for less than the cost of a 'prefect' version.  I'll attach a picture of mine. 

I know there is a glassblower in Bristol who is making reproduction epergnes, which are very beautiful, but I worry that he has depressed the market for epergnes a little, as people don't know if they are getting a genuinely old one, or a modern version.  I suppose at least collectors know that if they buy a 'marriage' it's more likely to be old!      Mind you, I know epergnes are of limited appeal, as they take up a lot of space and are not the sort of thing that most people would collect several of! 

And the debris in those flutes is going to be very difficult to clean out, I can tell you from experience!   I cleaned mine when I first got it, and now I just let the dust accumulate!  :24:

[Paul S.]

Like Leni, I had thought these things had seen better days in terms of value - but guess they are having an 'indian summer'  -  there was a similar one locally that went at auction for £220. very recently  -  lets hope for our sakes that 'Victoriana' is making a comeback.   Value is usually dependent on fashion, scarcity and demand, and although these things in their heyday were exceptionally common, probably very few in proportion, have survived intact. They are reputed to have commenced life around 1850 -1860, with the typical design we recognize peaking about 1870 - with not only this frilly bowl type base, but sometimes a base or plateau of mirrored glass.   Quite probably many examples which are thought to be Victorian are as late as 1915 - 1920.   
If you want to see a really OTT piece have a look at the dust jacket of Barbara Morris's book - a very good read incidentally, and she devotes a page or two to these table centre pieces, if you did want some more information
Reference:  Victorian Table Glass and Ornaments  -  Barbara Morris  -  1978.
P.S.   What was the Chance bowl that went for more than it was worth??

[shineyobjects]

Well I'm glad I never got it, to much work keeping it clean

Thanks for getting back to me you two, I'l have a look at Barbara Morris's book. The Chance bowl sold at auction for £20 but I've seen this design go for around £10 before. The estimate was 20-30 which was high in the first place.

[Paul S.]

streuth - I see what you mean  -  unless of course this is a very rare colour combination  -  someone??   From your picture I am unable to tell whether this is a small or large example.     I have four of each size laying on the bed behind me right now, and I was on the point of charity shopping them this week  -  err, anyone want to buy mine for £20 each?   have attached a pic. hope people don't mind.   This is how bad it is - you bring something new home - something else has to go out!

[dirk.]

you bring something new home - something else has to go out!

Wish it was that easy, Paul, wish it was that easy for me...  

[shineyobjects]

Paul this is the 4" version the design is not rare.

[Paul S.]

ahhh  -  so mine are worth more then  -  thanks

[Anne]

Paul, do you always sleep with your hankies...?    Adds a whole new meaning to being a glass lover.    :wsh:

[Anik R]

Anne, that's a good one!   :24: :24: :24: