Topic: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?

[Scott13]

Hi,
Do you think this is a WW mother-of- pearl piece?

Ht 12cm. ( 5” )
Diam 18cm. ( 7” )
Wt 765gm

Iridescence throughput. There are also some dark patches - not sure whether these are on the surface or within the glass.

Not sure also whether it’s meant to be a bowl,vase or pot holder.

Looks pretty old - quite a lot of wear on the base.

Any help appreciated - thanks for looking 

Scott

[Scott13]

Hi,
Think I’ve found it - thanks Keith 
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,49430.msg278768.html#msg278768

Any idea what the black discolouration is ?

Scott

[keith]

No idea I presume you've given it a good wash ?  maybe it supposed to be that colour, not seen one like it before 

[Scott13]

Yes, it’s had a good wash - soapy water and sponge    
I’ve had another look and I think it might be connected to the iridescence— but I’m not sure.
Whatever it is I daren’t use an abrasive —anyway it gives it character.
I reckon I’ll have a few blemishes when/if I reach its age 
Nice piece of glass though.

Scott

[glassobsessed]

Some old items can be covered in a layer of soot presumably from long exposure to open fires, candles and the like. It can be particularly hard to get out of difficult to reach places but nail varnish remover often works when soap and water does not. I think I have seen similar before, perhaps the grey tarnish is a result of something going awry during manufacture.

John

[marcus]

I've often used Denture Cleaning tablets dissolved in warm water (never too hot) to remove unsightly marks from glass. This method has also worked wonders to remove water-stains inside a vase for example. Two or three tablets usually do the trick and can also be repeated if need be. Just a thought!

[keith]

These Walsh pieces have a very fine 'crackle' finish I suppose years of soot, smoke etc... would become ingrained, yours looks more intentional than accidental  Hello John how did you do at Malvern ?

[Scott13]

Hi John,
I can see now that the pattern of discolouration on its inner surface matches the pattern of iridescence on its outer surface  - however only roughly half the vase has been affected this way.
Which now makes me think that either one side of the vase must have been subjected to a high temperature over a prolonged period - perhaps resulting in some sort of chemical reaction or as you suggested things might have gone awry during production.
Perhaps they only got it half right 

It doesn’t really bother me - I was just being curious.
In fact I like to see an acquired patina on old things.
I keep telling myself that, but unfortunately not very convincingly 

Scott

[glassobsessed]

People keep mentioning denture tablets for cleaning and I have never tried them for some reason, note to self...

Enjoyed the day out Keith, bought a nice retro chest of drawers and an Ercol coffee table, both in need of restoration.   Some glass too, a Loetz Tree Trunk vase and this unknown carafe: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,65575.0.html

[Scott13]

Hi,
Never noticed the crackle Keith..............
I’ll think about using denture cleaning tablets Marcus - I’ve got a tube somewhere.
I’ve found them pretty good for removing surface dirt/debris but I think my vase’s discolouration could be more deep seated—but you never know until you try.
I’m not a risk taker when it comes to glass  but thanks for your thought.

Nice carafe John.

Scott