Topic: Super Amethyst Intaglio??Powder pot or dresser box???

[glasskillian]

Purchased this very attractive piece recently not sure but its cut through amethyst colour very controlled cuts not like some ive had think its called intaglio?? No marking to the base but a 22 point star with plenty of wear. Wondering if it might be english stevens&williams or thomas webb or other country maybe bohemia and thought looked c1920s??
Its approx 6" tall and 6" wide What are these known as powder pots??
Thanks for looking

[Paul S.]

hello - it's very attractive, nice find, and amethyst is always a winner in terms of colour.
The word intaglio has become a little over used, and probably mis-used, during the C19 and C20, but it does cover cutting or engraving below the surface, and leaving a pattern or design which appears as in relief  -  I think we all know what someone means now if they use the word, even if this is not quite what it meant in the C17.            Your piece looks to be wheel cut rather than wheel engraved.

I'm not aware that a 22 point star signifies anything in particular - period stars were usually 16, 24 and 32 points - but the cutting of the centre of the star does indicate quality, or otherwise.       A lack of neatness at the intersection indicates poor quality often.
This looks to be thinly cased rather than stained or flashed, and I'd have thought somewhere in the first half of the C20, possibly.
Regret I can't help with origin - this sort of product was made in most countries, but your suggestion of Bohemia might be nearer the mark, as a generalization.
Looks a bit big for a powder pot, but I'd agree it does have the appearance of something from a woman's dressing table.

Sorry this is of no help, fingers crossed someone else will have better information.

[Lustrousstone]

Looks like a powder pot to me; it would have had a big fluffy powder puff to go in it. Cut to clear is the term required. I would say mid 20th C ish. Perhaps Czech but not Bohemian (too new0

[John Smith]

Preciosa, Czech Republic?

[glasskillian]

Thanks paul for your time in explaining intaglio very interesting and yes its been very well cut all termination's the star cut base and the various edge cuts are all in perfect lines somebody taken their time here. Im very taken with it i paid £10 from an antique centre local to me so will enjoy it for a while, Thankyou for the other reply's too im thinking without a mark it might be hard to asttribut but thanks for sharing your views