Topic: Flint Cake Stand - Acid Etched Markings Unknown

[Otis Orlando]

H. 10.6cm, Plate dia. 22cm and base dia. 9.8cm

Can anyone help me identify this most prestigious cake stand.   My main problem, is that I am having difficulty in reading the acid etched details on the base foot.  I think it reads 'Made in Tudor England'.  It's the name 'Tudor' that I am mainly having difficulty in reading. I have tried to look this up but not able to find any leads that would suggest or help me put a name or origin to this handsome looking cake stand.   Considering the size of the stand, it is very heavy and has an extremely high octave ring tone.   I believe it to be made in three sections, but unsure,................... however, would suggest to me that it was made by an earlier manufacturer.  It is very well made, even down to the top plate which is not flat.   From the outer rim towards the centre is very curvaceous.  In natural lighting the glass is crystal clear, but in artificial lighting it has this tinge of grey to it.  I'm only guessing, but think this cake stand could be made in the  mid- 19th century or even earlier.  The middle section or stem support  instantly under magnification, I can only describe as reminding me of the trunk of a palm tree.   You can actually feel this in areas, but to the eye it looks smooth.  Where the base stand meets a flat surface, it should be noted, that it is only the outer edge apparently.,  approx. 1mm @ the max., that actually touches a flat surface.   Under magnification you can see not only ware within this area, which of course would commensurate with probable age, but visible, minute nibbles around the rim.  Any help, even suggestions is appreciated.

[flying free]

I think it says Tudor and then made in England.
Have you looked up Tudor glass?
http://www.tudorcrystal.com/
however I've no idea how long they've been around or when your stand might date to.
Sorry.
m

[Otis Orlando]

Gosh! that was quick m:).  Yes, I tried different connotation, but to no avail.  I will certainly now look up the site you have mentioned.  Just to add, I think the acid etched markings are manually done as appose to machine.   I could be wrong, but the lettering are not complete, if you see what I mean.  Anyway, thanks for your help.

[Lustrousstone]

The acid etching would have been done manually using a stencil. The Made in England brings it well into the 20th century

[Otis Orlando]

Well I never! your certainly on the ball when it comes to period Christine.   Hopefully being a piece of the 20th century, one would hope we are closer to finding an i.d.   Having looked at the Tudor Crystal site, I'm finding it rather difficult to put a manufacturer to this piece.   I don't no why, but Stourbridge Glass always springs to mind. Is there any possibility that it could be made by stourbridge glass co?

[chriscooper]

http://www.tudorcrystal.com/index.php/company-history

Chris

[Lustrousstone]

I agree it's badly written, but as I read it Tudor was the brand and The Stourbridge Glass Company Ltd was the company. This is confirmed by the Glass Fact File, Haanstra. I would also speculate that the plainness, the slightly dodgy quality and the fact that this is pressed could put this in the "soda lime utility" World War 2 category. Is is lead or is it soda lime? Ring or no ring?

[agincourt17]

It certainly looks like hand-made and cut Tudor Crystal to me, and the "high  octave ring tone" would seem to confirm it - has anyone actually seen any marked decorative pressed soda glassware from Tudor Crystal?

I have an original Tudor Crystal catalogue  (probably dating from the late 1930s or even from the 1940s or early 1950s) that shows a cut crystal tazza not too dissimilar to Otis Orlando's. I'm still trying to find out if the catalogue is still in copyright, otherwise I would post a photo for comparison.

Fred.

[chriscooper]

Meant to include these photos, lead crystal, nice ring and well made the same acid etched mark but really faint on the pontil mark.

[Otis Orlando]

I would also speculate that the plainness, the slightly dodgy quality and the fact that this is pressed could put this in the "soda lime utility" World War 2 category. Is is lead or is it soda lime? Ring or no ring?

?  Oh dear!      Looking at the acid etch again also Christine,  I emphatically believe this is the style in how it is 'stenciled'.  At first glance, it looked in the style of Islamic and still does as a matter of fact.   Comparing the cake stand to all I have acquired over the years and viewed.   This stand is very well made and very much admired by those that have had the pleasure of not only looking at it, but holding it too.  This piece is ornate minimalistically.  The pictures does not do it justice in the slightest.   Could this be what you are referring to, when you state, 'the slightly dodgy quality'?  Only asking, being that I am interested to know your reasons for saying this, as they could be valid. 

Considering the size of the stand, it is very heavy and has an extremely high octave ring tone.

I could be wrong, but the lettering are not complete, if you see what I mean.

I don't recall stating it is badly written and you must excuse me if I led you to believe that. 

I agree it's badly written,

It certainly looks like hand-made and cut Tudor Crystal to me, and the "high  octave ring tone" would seem to confirm it. I have an original Tudor Crystal catalogue  (probably dating from the late 1930s or even from the 1940s or early 1950s) that shows a cut crystal tazza not too dissimilar to Otis Orlando's. I'm still trying to find out if the catalogue is still in copyright, otherwise I would post a photo for comparison.

Fred.

I think your probably right Fred.   I was not certain, that it is pressed and should have made note of that.  I and others would certainly be interested, that is,  if possible to post a photo for comparison.  Thanks for your help so far.

Meant to include these photos, lead crystal, nice ring and well made the same acid etched mark but really faint on the pontil mark.

Nice! With the same acid etch mark, would also confirm the mark as meant, ........would you not agree Chris?