Topic: Small footed bowl with rough pontil, any info please?

[Ekimp]

Hi, I found this small ribbed bowl recently while looking for old drinking glasses that I have just started collecting. I'm not sure what it is, possibly a finger bowl or sugar bowl? Any information on use and age etc would be appreciated. I have searched the internet without much success.

I assumed it might be old as it has a rough pontil. It has a waxy, almost plastic feel and I thought it might be uranium glass but it doesn't glow under uv. It has a 105mm diameter rim; 55mm diameter foot; 60mm tall; twelve vertical 'ribs'.

Thanks.

[Paul S.]

Hi  -  I've seen hundred of finger bowls, but oddly never one with straight sides like this.       Unfortunately, an unpolished pontil scar is sometimes there to either deceive or add character, and they can be found all over the C20.             My opinion is that this optic moulding isn't all that old.
Always an outside chance that if this piece has the feeling you describe, it might be suffering from surface breakdown, forget offhand what the term is - sometimes the glass can almost weep.
From somewhere in or near the Gulf of Venice perhaps?  - but that's a very uneducated guess  -  and possibly just a decorative item.

[Anne]

I think you mean sick glass, Paul? It feels more oily than plastic though.

Welcome to the board Ekimp. I can't help with your bowl but someone else might be able to, so keep your fingers crossed.

[Ekimp]

Thanks for your replies, I don't know what sick glass would feel like but it doesn't feel like it's surface is breaking down as it feels the same all over the surface and looks fine. There is some wear to the base so I don't think it's modern. I'll keep crossed fingers.

[Paul S.]

thanks Anne  -  I'd forgotten the correct terminology for this sickness, which has been mentioned a few times, as discussed in this link  http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,395.msg1934.html#msg1934

although am sure you're right and this isn't an example of that problem.

My comment about modern was rather vague - sorry - when using the word I tend to imply something from the last 50 years or so  -  probably enough time for a piece to acquire some wear.

[AlmostThere]

I am from the US and have found that a some glass produced in Mexico has an oily feel.  Not all but some.

Beth