Topic: Georgian? dessert dishes help please.

[brucebanner]

Another recent charity shop find, I think these might have some real age, there are a a pair of pedestal dessert dishes in the local museum same cutting and similar style with a date between 1780-1820, there really bright white razor sharp cut crystal and look totally hand made as the inner and outer bowls differ internally and externally in size, with chips to the rims and base edges, the base is step cut, no seeds, any thoughts welcome.

One is 5 inches in across the rim and 2 1/4 inches across the base. 

The other 4 3 /4 inches across the rim and  2 3/4 inches across the base.

regards Chris.

[Paul S.]

Agree that some of these decorative features are seen on Georgian glass - although I'd suggest the underside of the foot is a less than common style - not something I've seen don't think. 
Was this a Georgian shape for desert??           If these were the date you suggest, I wonder if they were salts perhaps, and not sure if you're saying that yours are 'white bright', or is it the museum pieces??  .......     I always feel happier - with glass from the Georgian period  -  if the colour is not 'white bright'

Perhaps in the circumstances you might visit the museum in question and ask what provenance they have for the attribution for their examples - this might help.

[brucebanner]

BroadField house, I took them in with me today, a fair bit of the Georgian glass in there is bright not dull grey like late Victorian cut glass, these were the same colour as a regency set that's on display, almost identical  bases.

[Paul S.]

and who are we to argue with the experts at Broadfield House  - looks as though you're right about age at least then.            Still think you should show yours to the museum - they may well be able to help with additional information  -  I used to do the same with the V.& A., and they were always helpful.

Am still of the opinion that the underside decoration is unusual - I wonder if it's an Irish thing  -  and would still question the desert use, although perhaps more from the Regency end of the period.

It's a habit thing, this suspicion -  so many of the earlier styles and decorative features have been copied - the first thing I do is assume it's not, and then work along the lines of trying to prove it is.............   less of a let down that way - when it turns out to be later.
And of course not easy with some of these pieces, when only looking at the screen.

the tops look to be a slightly scaled down version of Van Dyke rims.

[neil53]

Hi, could these be from an epergne and are probably 19C if so.  I attach images of some similar epergne dishes that I own.

[brucebanner]

I'm not sure what you mean by Epergne dishes?, have you got a pick of them complete? there similar in cut to a couple of piggin's I have. The deep mitre cut on the base that goes right to the edge of yours look Georgian in date?.

[neil53]

Hi, I don't have such an epergne in stock nor do I have images but the type of item I am thinking of can be seen at http://www.americanclassical.net/arts_details.php?productid=348

Neil

[brucebanner]

Lovely link, no idea really, the bases in the link look Edwardian/late Victorian  they would have a cut to fit rim not a  step cut rim and the bases are curved not flat to sit on a flat surface.

[brucebanner]

Here is a silver 1880's one with a later uranium glass epergne

[brucebanner]

I think Paul is right on these, i took them up the Museum earlier and they seem to think there late Victorian copies of Georgian glass due to the colour of the glass and they think there finger rinsers.