Topic: Numbers etched on decanters and stoppers

[Anik R]

Can anyone tell me why my two decanters have numbers etched on the base and on the stoppers?  What do these numbers denote?

The bulbous decanter (with a polished pontil mark) has got the number 4, while the other decanter (with a star pattern to the base) has got a tiny 79.

Thank you for your help. 

[Anik R]

And one more picture, this time of the whole decanters:

[Lustrousstone]

They're called tie numbers. Stoppers are often individually fitted to hand-made decanters, so marking them ensures the right stopper goes in the right decanter.

[Anik R]

Oh my, that was super-quick!

Thank you, Christine  :kissy:

[ahremck]

A number of years ago I spied a nice Stuart decanter in a pawnshop.  On inspection I noted tboth stopper & base had 22 scratched in.  I enquired why that was so and his explanation was the he scratched them so he got the right stopper with its original decanter when he came to sell it or return it.

Ross

[Lustrousstone]

It's more likey to have happened in the factory that the pawn shop

[Anik R]

Thank you for the responses. 

These decanters have been in my family for well over 40 years.  I've got no knowledge of them being acquired from a pawn shop.

It is interesting, however, that the 'etchings' on the stoppers differ from the etchings on the bases -- the numbers on the stoppers are much cruder. 

[Anne]

http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,19831.0.html

[Anik R]

Thank you, Anne!  (I wasn't aware that stoppers were often made elsewhere...  that might certainly explain why the etchings are different on base and stopper.)  I'm perfectly satisfied. 

[nigel benson]

Hello,

These marks are not usually etched, rather they are incised using a stylus. Etching is when acid is used to make the mark, which would preclude its use in this situation, since speed would be of the essence.

Other than the use of the term 'tie numbers' on this site, can anyone direct me to a reference where it has been used in the past? Thanks.

Nigel