Topic: Diamond pattern pickle jar

[Anne E.B.]

Any help with this pickle jar would be much appreciated.  Its really well made, quite heavy, and has a matching tie number on the lid and inside neck of the jar.  The diamond pattern continues underneath.  I can't see any other markings to indicate the maker.
I was thinking perhaps it was English, but so far haven't found a match in my searches.
TIA

[Paul S.]

you don't say Anne whether this is cut or pressed - this feature of matching Nos. seems to occur far less commonly on pressed examples.

These things are a bit like jugs - almost impossible to id unless you have a backstamp or Rd. No. - the majority I see don't have any marks, and made in their zillions through most of the C19 and first half of the C20, and there seems to be acres of them out there still.

This is a nice looking example which I've not seen - the coloured pieces are very desirable, if you can find them.            I'm surprised the body No. is on the inside of the neck  -  do you mean on the frosted/ground area?

Does the script of the matching Nos. look British or might it be Continental perhaps?       The figure seven is the best indicator.

Sorry I can't help  -  let's hope someone might recognize the pattern.

[Anne E.B.]

Thanks for the quick reply

I'm a bit in two minds whether its pressed or cut   I can't see any seam lines, and the fact that the diamond pattern flows naturally without interruption onto the base, makes me think it could be cut, but I'm just not sure.

The tie number on the jar is on the outside, not the inside as I incorrectly stated, and is on the "neck" where the frosted band is.  The tie number on the lid is also on the outside where the frosted band is seen.  Not too sure about the script as there isn't a 7 with a line across, but the numbers look pretty standard to me at least.

The diamonds each have a cross in the centre making four small triangles if that would help to I.D. a pattern.   I'm still looking, and will include EAPG just in case.

[Paul S.]

I suspect pressed  -  unlikely that all those mitres would be cut, running as they do around the curve of the base.        You should be able to feel the difference between the two processes  -  if in doubt use a small lens to look for the remains of grinding marks within the mitres  -  factories were very good at removing mould seams by means of fire polishing. 

You don't mention the extent of wear, if any, which might help to indicate age  -  but as a guesstimate could be anywhere in the first half of the C20.            If it were earlier you should have substantial wear.

The cross in the centre of the relief diamond is a nod to earlier cutting designs, where this feature was called, rather obviously, a cross-cut diamond.
The diamonds aren't of course in relief, it's just that visually they appear so.

Lids on pickles needed to be vinegar fumes proof, so these ground stopper lids/bodies were paired and matched to provide a very good fit.              The positioning of your matching Nos. is typical.

[Anne E.B.]

Thanks for your comments Paul.

I've looked through a lens and can see no grinding marks.  Its as smooth as a baby's  and there appears to be no age related wear on the underside, although I don't think it has been used much if at all, and its quite sparkly unlike some old glass. 

May be it was one of those pickle jars given out as a promotional 'free' gift.  Anyway, it is now in good use and saves me decanting pickles from a manufacturers jar into a bowl for the table Posh eh   I just hope the vinegar doesn't mark the inside too much over a period of time.