Topic: Bohemian,Belgian White splatter weight, ribbon flower design? ID = Portugal

[bat20]

Hi,this weight has a flat polished base with what seems to be a lot of wear on the edges,it has a central bubble and four satellite bubbles joined by a flower motif red ribbon ,all above a white splatter carpet,probably not an easy one but any ideas on maker and date,many thanks.

[tropdevin]

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Hi.  I agree that Belgium is a possibility, but similar styles of paperweight were made elsewhere in Europe. Regarding age, maybe late 19th /early 20th century?  If it is from Belgium, there were at least 30 glass factories operating in the late 19th - early 20th century, so I doubt you will tie it down to any particular one. 

Alan

[bat20]

Thanks Alan,there are a lot of information on the Intoe  stating the national flower of Belgium is the common red poppy,but there also seems to a lot of people saying Belgium has no national flower and the poppy has more to do with Flanders,I wonder if 1918 is stretching the date slightly? Could it have been made as a souvenir for people visiting after world war 1?

[tropdevin]

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Maybe...but I would have thought the maker would have rounded the stylised flower petals if he intended it to be a poppy.  I suspect it is just a 'flower', using whatever colours were available at the time.

Alan

[bat20]

Yup,probably best to let facts get in the way of a good story when it comes to researching items,a bit more Tudor rose than poppy anyway

[rocco]

Just ran across this "Made in Portugal" paperweight >> http://www.ebay.com/itm/221171557142
Is there just an accidental similarity, is the one I linked to a copy from the older ones, or are both Portuguese?

Michael

[Lustrousstone]

Portuguese PWs seem to have pinkish clear glass. Is yours Bat?

[paperweights]

How large is your paperweight (Diameter) ?

[bat20]

Hi,the red ribbon gives the glass a pink hint from the top ,underneath it appears clear to me,it's 65cm wd and 55cm ht.

[paperweights]

I'm sure you mean 6.5 cm x 5.5 cm.  Otherwise your paperweight would be a record breaker.  The size is consistent with Portuguese paperweights.