Topic: Patterned claret jug (?) info please? Hallmarked Silver rim

[chriss]

Hi
I have a claret jug (I think) which is heavily patterned to the glass body, not sure if it's mould blown or blown as the detail in the patterned detail is quite crisp and sharp in a lot of areas and more flat in others? Bit it has a polished pontil mark to the base so it's blown anyway It has a silver rim and lip but unfortunately the hallmark is very worn, so dating it is a bit of a problem, but it's got a London Hallmark, possibly M date letter in a shield, but very worn if that helps id the glass? It stands 10 and half inches tall including the stopper. It's got that really faint yellowy tinge that old glass has within it. I know nothing of it's history. Does anyone know anything about it please like it's age, it's maker anything like that please? Thanks 

[Paul S.]

Hello Chris ..           I'd suggest a claret decanter, if only because of the stopper........the jugs don't usually have a stopper.
This is a high quality piece - and if you're correct re the upper case M, then I believe this date code is for 1947/48.

From what I can see, most of the decoration is wheel engraved  i.e. much more shallow than the sort of cuts produced by standard glass cutting  -  these effects are produced usually by small copper wheels of varying sizes.          However, the large curved swags would probably be more like ordinary glass cutting - deep and fairly wide.
I've attached couple of pix to show very similar work produced by the Stourbridge Glass Co. (who later became Tuder Crystal I think)  - and you can see, especially in the second pic, the swags (like yours) created using circular disc like impression of graded size.

Your piece may well have been engraved by someone like Jack Lloyd, who continued working until the 1970's - having been with both companies I think.          Do check carefully to see if there is a small signature somewhere on the body, also look for 'matching Nos.'  - the factory's method at time of manufacture, as a way of keeping stoppers with the correct fitting body.            Small Nos., possibly on the stubb of the stopper, also somewhere on the neck of the body.

[Paul S.]

oh well, can't win them all.............let me try again

[johnphilip]

Hi Chris it looks very much like the one i have with matching engraved stopper mine also has a metal collar covering a small repair the body and handle are identical , Simon Cottle at Southebys Bond Street said mine was Stevens & Williams and by John Orchard . Simon is now with Bonhams . Maybe your stopper was broken at the same time as the neck , if that is damaged ? Your pattern and the blossom looks the same and that was like a signature for John Orchard . you can try Bonhams with a picture .

[chriss]

yes thanks, a claret decanter der!   I have checked the glass and can find no numbers or marks, but the stopper has a swag like swirl running to the end of it which I never noticed before, shame about the damage on it though if that pinpoints it further? I've taken a photo of the hallmark so you can see if you think it's an M? I haven't got a clue what the 1st symbol is prior to the 3 assay hallmarks, could be an import or makers mark? :/ Thanks for your help though  

[chriss]

Thanks Johnphilip also, I will send the images to Bonhams fao Simon Cottle and see what is said and post the reply then thanks so much for your help, it's a shame about the damage to mine, but i never paid a lot for it, so I should imagine that was reflected in the price initially I would have been happier paying much more for a perfect piece as i don't usually buy damaged glass, but only the one available

[chriss]

Based on what you said johnphilip, I also googled that info and came up with this - http://www.bourneendauctionrooms.co.uk/2011/11/glassware/index.htm  lot 88 on that page  is a variation of this one, but has a different lip and stopper and is silver plate instead of fully hallmarked silver, but same shape body and handle and same pattern to the glass thanks to you both for your help

[Greg.]

I love their description of lot 83, even if it is a little worrying ....''possibly by Moza'' 

[johnphilip]

Yes Greg i had a laugh at that they were all mine from 82 to 92 i was just clearing a few lesser pieces to make room for better pieces , i think that must have been Bill or Fred Moza and  then there is the Doum brandy glasses    now i know why i couldnt find the claret jug in the loft today . Doohhh 

[chriss]

I never checked the spellings of anything else when I put that link up, I was tunnel visioned and focussed on the image and description of the decanter and posted it  I'll check entire page contents before putting a link up again me thinks!