Topic: ID purple owl paperweight. Similar to Caithness... unsigned. ID = Caithness

[Kerrie789]

I have looked through so many owl paperweights, it is a very popular subject! This one is very large (could it be a bookend?), and heavy. It weighs about 6.2 pounds, 2.8 kg. It measures about 6 inches tall by 3 3/4" deep by 4 1/2" wide. (15.24cm x 9.5cm X 11.4cm). The coolest thing about this is that there is one bubble inside, but the way the eyes are cut makes it appear like two bubbles. The only other owl paperweights I have seen that do that are by Caithness. Those usually have a notch between the eyes for the beak, which mine doesn't have. Some Scandinavian paperweights are similar, but they usually frost the eyes, instead of the bubble illusion. Mine has a small raised bump on the top. There are a good amount of scratches on the base. I found no marks or signatures after close inspection. Any ideas as to maker? Appreciate the help!

Kerrie

[rosieposie]

Hi Kerrie,  firstly,  I was just looking at an owl I have that has very similar optical 'trickery' as your owl.... then I open GMB and there is your question!!
The one I have is smaller, 3" tall, and the base is in pristine condition, no age related wear at all.
However, the eyes are made by the way the back is star cut....
Mine does have a groove for the nose and also a label, which may help,  if only to eliminate a maker.
Also mine is clear crystal
Yours looks as though it might be Neodymium glass.... have you tried looking at it under fluorescent lighting (the kind you have in kitchen strip lighting over the counter tops) or under energy-saving light bulbs .?
Here are a couple of pictures of mine:
Rosie.

[chopin-liszt]

It is neodynium glass, and I'm fairly sure the maker is Whitefriars. 

[Kerrie789]

That is so neat, I like the way the did the star on your paperweight. I think you are right on about the Neodymium! I had heard of that but never made the connection with this piece. It glowed green under a black light, wow!

Sue, do you really think Whitefriars? I looked at them and the owls have the frosted eyes, not the bubble. Thanks!

[chopin-liszt]

It's not ultra violet light you want to look at it under, but the difference between daylight and incandescent light (a fluorescent strip tube).

I got a bit confused by the bubble myself, but it's not without the realms of possibility that one got in or was tried.
What is concerning me (now) is that the base is not completely round.
I've got a smokey grey one, but it's been hidden away upstairs and I can't get there up any more and his lordship is out just now.
I'll get him to try to find it when he comes in. He may get lost. 
He doesn't pay attention to things and will not know where he's put it.

It's the overall complete style that looks wfs, apart from the bubble and the base shape.
You might need a wfs specialist to comment. I'm not one of those, I only dabble around the edges.

[Kerrie789]

Thank you, Sue, that is great information. I did find a forum for Whitefriars collectors, I will give it a try. Many thanks for the help!

[rosieposie]

Have to say, I haven't seen any Whitefriars glass in Neodymium glass, however,  it could be ZelesnyBrod (ZBS), V.Nason & C., FM Konstglas, or Licio Zanetti to name a few off  the top of my head.
Have you tried it under fluorescent light yet.... it should go blue!!
Rosie.

[Kerrie789]

It turned completely blue! I had to search for a proper bulb, I don't have the tubes, but I found an energy saver one in the kitchen.

[rosieposie]

They are fun, aren't they!!  Daylight and incandescent light will give you that lovely rosy purple colour and the fluorescent / energy saving lamps the ice blue.
I do hope you find the maker for your superb owl.... I have a ZBS one, by M. Janku... I'll see if I can find it,  but it isn't the same as your lovely one.
Rosie.

PS He is left of middle in this little lot.... as you can see, I LOVE Neodymium glass!!

[chopin-liszt]

His lordship has been duly despatched upstairs and has found my thing.

It's the same basic shape, it has large egg shaped eyes which are very roughly finished off, leaving obvious vertical lines, with a satinated pupil cut out.
The "beak" is an oval mitre cut under them, not inbetween like yours.

It's certainly a variation on the wfs design, but I don't know which came first. Sorry for having jumped to a conclusion with my very limited amount of experience with these things.