Topic: German glass

[Antwerp1954]

I have what I believe is a German glass from c.1770-1800, possibly made in Hesse. The engravingi s quite intriguing. It shows a bird standing on one leg , the other leg apparently pointing towards a small table, bench or bed. I have my own ideas on what this signifies but would welcome thoughts from the experts.

Many thanks.

[Paul S.]

I think we're all intrigued as to the meaning of a one legged bird pointing at a bed  -  they were never that keen was I was younger

apologies for the humour, but would ask a couple of questions...........
does the glass ring if struck, and is there a sharp pontil scar on the underside?           Are there the expected striations etc. on foot and bowl.

What makes you think of Hesse?

Lastly, the decoration looks to me rather fuzzy in outline  -  I might just need another trip to Specsavers  -  but are you absolutely certain this isn't sand blasted work?     I'm sure it isn't but it's sometimes worth asking the question.

Where did you source this glass, if you don't object to the question, that is.

[oldglassman]

Hi
           The glass is typical of Hessen and I would have thought mid 18th c, it will be non lead,the engraving that is usually found on these types is more than often quite crude but will be wheel engraved , like most engraving on continental pieces the subject will mean something but in this instance I have no idea , birds are sometimes associated with babies or unconditional love.
  A good site for swatting up on continental forms ,,,,,   http://www.glaswolf.de/Hessen.297.0.html

cheers ,
                 Peter.

[Antwerp1954]

Striations to footand rim with some slight unevenness to the rim.

Hesse because sold to me by a reputable dealer (from whom I've bought several really good items) said soas well as a German dealer.

It's very deinitely wheel engraved but not of the top quality.

It is not made of lead glass judging by the sound made when pinged. Under UV light it glows yellow.

[Antwerp1954]

Peter

It was Uwe at glaswolf who reckoned it is from Hesse.

My theory that the glass is to anounce that a woman is pregnant. In Holland they have such glasses with a phrase such as Little Hans is in the Cellar to mean that here is a Bun in the Oven.

The story that it is the stork that brings babies is thought to originate in Germany - Hans Christian Andersen wrote a story based on the idea (Danish I know). Put the two ideas together and I think I have a theory that holds water.

I have only recently come across German 18th century glasses and am captivated by them. I've a couple which are crizzled (ideas for care please), one from Lauenstein, a couple engraved with the coat of arms of the Elector of Saxony and this one which I believe announces a pregnancy.

[oldglassman]

 Hi,
            All sounds very plausible to me , I was not that far off then 

  Hansie in de kelder I am very familiar with having had a few here ,the best which went to a new home a while ago was a very fine stipple by Alius , the only recorded Hansie by him known,and at the moment a nice lead pedestal stem goblet gets an airing for a glass or 2 .

 Care for crizzled glass ?  I really don't think there is anything in the way of care that will halt the decay or make it worse other than time its self which eventually will probably lead to it falling into little bits in a heap or stay the way it is for ever ,the only thing I would not recommend is to do the ping test on it , you just never know !!!

 cheers ,
                 Peter.

[Ivo]

hansje in de kelder is actually a liqueur which you would serve to your guests to announce pregnancy - in a fitting glass. I think the one that startes this discussion is actually a stork and a crib - either to announce a pregnancy or an actual birth.

[oldglassman]

Hi ,
           Interesting Ivo , though I have never heard that Hansie glasses actually referred to a drink but as already said roughly translates to little jack in the cellar, ie a bun in the oven,and the glasses not there contents were used to announce that the hostess was pregnant, the drink I have heard of is Kandeel which was served to guests and the mother after the arrival of the baby ,this restorative drink I believe was a mixture of wine egg yolks, sugar,cinnamon,cloves and lemon peel and this was served in Kandeel glasses usually referred to as Kraamvrouw glasses, which seem to have been produced specifically for this purpose see pics .

quote  "I think the one that started this discussion is actually a stork and a crib - either to announce a pregnancy or an actual birth."
 
            had we not already arrived at this interpretation ?

Cheers ,
                  Peter.

[bat20]

I wonder if there is any english pub glass with "up the duff" on it?

[Paul S.]

the connection there is 'plum duff' i.e. a pudding of sorts.........implying 'in the pudding club' or 'bun in the oven', or as the Aussies say ' Up the Damien' (what's the Damien??)
It seems to be a much more recent piece of slang then these glasses, so you'll need to etch it yourself