Topic: Blue Swirl Glass. American? Really old?

[ks85]

I have some more pieces of blue glass I was hoping someone could help me with.  I believe they may be really old, but am not positive. 

Here are a couple similar pieces that were sold on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-PRIMITIVE-EARLY-AMERICAN-BLOWN-FOOTED-COBALT-BOWL-/261025441102?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc654254e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800s-Antique-Cobalt-Flint-Glass-Swirled-Master-Salt-Hand-Blown-Open-Pontil-/270960876704?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1686dca0

I have no clue how to tell how old these are and/or who they were made by. I was hoping someone could tell me if these are as old as the others shown and hopefully tell me how I can tell for the future.  Or if you could direct me to a site with more info I would really appreciate it. 

All I know is the glass looks for similar to my non trained eye. 

Thanks for looking.

[Ohio]

Here are some of the problems associated with Stiegel & South Jersey glass made in the 18th century. If ever there was a category of U.S. glass that demands a hands on approach...this is it. Pictures are inadequate simply because most of this type of glass was widely reproed going back to the 1930s by skilled blowers who lost their positions when the companies went belly-up during the Depression. Individuals such as Emil J. Larson of Vineland NJ who blew for Dorflinger & Durand by the mid-30's  was blowing his own glass in a one pot shop in Vineland & did hundreds of reproductions of Stiegel glass & Jersey glass.

 During that era (1930s) this type of glass as well as EAPG was collectible while most of the U.S. companies collected today are those who survived the Depression & today there are few legitimate experts who can tell the difference between originals & repros. The market colectible market for Stiegel & South Jersey glass used number in the hundreds into until the early 1960s when post Depression glass companies started to dominant the collectible market.
Now reproductions dominate what is left of the market. You will need to find a true 18th century expert for glass of this type who can examine it in person. Thats the best advice I have unfortunately.

[Ivo]

Extremely problematic to identify, I agree. I have a few pieces myself - and never even associated these with North American glass. To me they they are most likely to be made by Verrerie de Rance in Belgium, before 1850 when they went bellyup.  A more recent replica seems unlikely in these parts as we never had an example like Stiegl to copy.

[ks85]

Thank you both for your replies Ivo and Ohio.   I guess they will have to go with the "who knows" group for a while.  Hopefully I will be close an expert in the near future and they will be willing to look at them in person.   Looked on google and couldnt find any near Iowa. 

Thanks again for the replies.