Author Topic: Stuart Strathearn and 1960s Caithness (Read 9144 times)

David555 · « **on:** May 15, 2006, 11:03:23 PM »

Hi Frank

Here is a little Stuart Strathearn vase I picked up (marked), 4” high with acid etched ‘wild rose’ or ‘poppy’ pattern?

Also are you interested in Caithness hollowware on this forum, I mean the really early pieces with labels?

Here are two early 1960s bits by Domhnall O’Broin – or so most sources say, they may well have been designed by another.

Note the early paper labels have slight differences.

Vase in light smoke colour, 9” tall

Bowl in a subtle shade of purple, 4.25” tall

The limited edition vases that came later are great but I love the simplicity and subtle colours of these early pieces.

Thanks

Adam P

Anne · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2006, 11:07:43 PM »

Adam, is the bottom one neodymium glass?

David555 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2006, 11:21:46 PM »

Hi Anne

I am sure Caithness never made neodymium glass (to the best of my knowledge).

This is strange bowl you mention, as I have it in my hands at the moment it is a pale blue - it's only in strong sunshine that the purple comes out.

The tall vase is a bit funny that way as well, at the moment it is light brown, when photographing I had trouble as it kept on going a smoky blue colour - I eventually toned the colour down in photoshop (I am now thinking why did I do that LOL).

I think the colours are so subtle that they take strong light to bring them out.

Thanks

Adam P

Lustrousstone · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2006, 06:47:43 AM »

Adam you've just described neodymium glass to a T :lol: . Purple in daylight and blue under fluorescent lighting. Lots of Caithness lilac glass seems to be neodymium. I also think the blue/brown thing might be another rare earth effect.

Frank · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2006, 08:54:27 AM »

Hi Adam, yes I need Caithness glassware too see http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,4602.0.html

RAY · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2006, 10:24:22 AM »

a postcard from caithness at the old wick site, the glass blower is William Manson's brother

click image

Anne · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:56:57 AM »

Quote from: David555

Hi Anne

I am sure Caithness never made neodymium glass (to the best of my knowledge).

Yes they did Adam - I have three pieces of it so far - one totally neo vase (far right), and two perfumes with neo stoppers: http://yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?pos=-877

David555 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:25:00 PM »

Thanks Anne

I am now more convinced

I have a bowl with a 1990s plastic sticker on it same as my 1960s bowl shown and it is not neodymium - I have tested it.

This must have been an early feature of the glass, I find this especially with pieces having the old paper label

Adam P

Anne · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2006, 11:14:33 PM »

Adam, some of my neo came with the plastic stickers too - does that definitely date them to the 1990's? Interestingly, my two perfumes are not neo but their stoppers are!

David555 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2006, 11:41:51 PM »

Thanks for that Anne

That blows my theory of only early Caithness being neo - plastic stickers came through in the 1980s.

As for only your stoppers being neo - sounds lovely contrast wise, but I don't have an answer - I am only starting to collect Caithness and am as much in the dark as the rest of you!

I would love to see some pictures of your Caithness Anne

I think we need an ex employee (hollowware) - any about

Meanwhile I bought this - a shot glass perhaps. The label is paper pre 1970s, could this be the smallest piece of Caithness hollowware.

Is it even a shot glass? 2.4" high, 2" diam, thick walled

Adam P