Topic: folded foot rim with polished pontil

[Paul S.]

Something like 4.1/4" - 98mm, so probably too small for a wine, and I'm thinking more of a gin or dram glass (drawn stem variety).      Nothing particularly special, but having just looked  my other folded foot rim glasses, these are all showing snapped or sheared pontil marks, as opposed to this one which additionally has a nicely ground/polished depression.      Typical of C18 folded feet glasses, this foot rim is wider (at 2.7/16") than the top rim (2.5/16") - and the foot is moderately domed, so probably not an especially early example.         Produces a good ring when flicked, and has plenty of striations in the bowl and foot with a couple of minute seeds.
What do I make of the combination of fold and ground/polished pontil.........does the fold mean a definite date of around 1760/70 ish (as you'd expect), or might it be one of those uncommon folded/ground pontil examples from around the end of the Regency period - 1830 ish?      All thoughts received gratefully, and thanks for looking.    

[neil53]

Hi Paul, the glass looks like a classic Georgian dram glass.  The polished pontil came in around about 1780 and disappeared pretty much in about 1860.  From the style and your description I would say that it dates from the end of the 18th century.  I have a similar one with a rough pontil mark and have had others with polished ones.  The glass appears thinner on the later ones.  Hope this helps. Neil

[Paul S.]

thanks very much Neil  -  and I'm sure you're right about its age and use  -  it was simply that the folded foot rim PLUS having the ground/polished pontil had me a little confused.     Having both features was unusual for me, but then I'm not knee deep in these things, but if you've had a few that settles it - and you think we should go for the latter part of the C18 which is o.k. with me.     It's never easy, I don't think, dating some of these glasses accurately, I suppose we should always make a leeway of a decade or so.   
This one came in with half a dozen odd assorted C19 glasses from the boot sale yesterday morning, and they were £0.50 each 

[neil53]

Hi Paul, as you say it's not a precise science but I'd put it end of the 18th rather than the beginning of the 19th.  It's easier if you can see the glass in real life because the metal tells you so much, but stylistically it seems right.  Folded back rims were used into the 19th century but with decreasing frequency.  I can't say that you'll make a fortune on your investment of 50p but they tend to go on ebay for about £20.00 each.  So only a 4000% return! 
 

[Paul S.]

trouble is Neil I almost never sell my glass - at least I hang on to the drinking glasses which is possibly my favourite area.  I should wise up and sell some bits  -  might be better off - but then wouldn't have the glasses.    So we can't have it both ways I guess.