Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. > British & Irish Glass
E.Varnish mercury glass with embossed seal, circa 1849
drewfind:
Hi Paul
I went into the V&A website, click on the collections icon at the top of the page, you will then find a page with loads of different pics, and there is a search box to the left if you type in e.varnish it comes up with the 4 they have in their collection, there is also a link on that page that takes you into more detail, even down to wages and glass orders for the James Powell factory.
KevinH:
General info on Silvered Glass (also known as “mercury glass”) from the sale of The Parkington Collection (parts I and II) at Christie’s South Kensington, Oct 1997 and Apr 1998.
The sale included 6 Lots of silvered glass items by Hale Thomson and 20 Lots of silvered glass by Varnish & Co. There were a total of 525 Lots for Part I and 477 for Part II covering glass from the 18th century to modern times.
For Part I, each Varnish & Co. Lot included the wording “impressed disc”. For Part II, the wording was “inset disc”.
Of the Varnish & Co items, colours were Amethyst (3 Lots), Blue (5 Lots), Green (4 Lots), Lime Green (1 Lot), Pink (1 Lot), Red (3 Lots), Ruby (2 Lots) and “Yellow lined” (1 Lot). Most of these were decorated with geometric or floral cutting.
Most of the Varnish & Co. Lots made higher than upper estimate figures for the hammer price. A selection of every 4th Lot across both auctions shows a reasonable example of details and prices:
Part I (approximate hammer price calculated from total price including buyers premium + VAT)
Lot 266 Pink vase 7.5 cm high (3 inch); est. £200-300, hammer price £440
Lot 271 Blue vase 31.5 cm high (12.4 inch); est. £800-1,000, hammer price £2150
Part II (actual hammer price)
Lot 244 Ruby ring stand 13.5 cm high (5.3 inch); est. £200-300, hammer price £450
Lot 248 Green vase 23 cm high (9 inch); est. £500-700, hammer price £850
Lot 252 Amethyst vase 30 cm high (11.8 inch); est. £1,500-2,500, hammer price £3,500
The vase of Part II, Lot 252 was the one to achieve the highest hammer price. Lot 275 in Part I came close at approximately £3,130; this was a Green vase standing 29 cm high (11.4 inch) and included Prince of Wales Feathers in the decoration and was estimated at £1,200-1,400.
Overall, the 20 Varnish & Co. Lots (some being pairs) had a total hammer price of approximately £23,300 against a total high estimate of £14,600.
How those auction results would compare for similar items today is unknown to me. All I know is that when I handled several of those items at the viewing I was surprised at their weight which was much greater than I anticipated. Generally, very fine pieces of glass to have in the hand.
drewfind:
Hi Kevin
Thank you very much for your endeavours. This info will make sure that I don't give it away.
I'm sure you can tell that I am relatively new at this, so would you say I am better selling private or via auction, and if auction, which auction house would you suggest I approach?
I have some more items to collect over the next few weeks. Other then the mainstream big boys like Lalique, Daum, Galle etc, what glassmakers are off the radar, but sought after?
Many thanks
drewfind:
Update for those interested
Antique house has confirmed incised initials/mark with further investigation going on this coming week via Christies, Bonhams and the V&A the train of thought being that this was a trial/sample piece as the form of the glass is also unknown.
If anyone has anymore information regarding this form, please leave me a message.
Many thanks
Andrew
KevinH:
--- Quote ---... would you say I am better selling private or via auction, and if auction, which auction house would you suggest I approach?
--- End quote ---
The dealer who is doing the research for you is approaching some of the best people likely to be able to help. I have very limited knowledge of current "best ways" to sell. All I would say for now is that those main auction rooms can probably more easily attract "mainstream collectors", but given the ease of internet information on what is available at provincial auction rooms (particularly ones that have specialized "fine arts" sales) those outlets should not be overlooked.
--- Quote ---I have some more items to collect over the next few weeks. Other then the mainstream big boys like Lalique, Daum, Galle etc, what glassmakers are off the radar, but sought after?
--- End quote ---
I have absolutely no idea. :)
--- Quote ---... the form of the glass is also unknown.
--- End quote ---
I am not sure what that means. Is it the overall shape, the way the colour is applied or the manner of cut decoration (looks like possible cut spirals to me, but would need better photos to see what it really is), or something else?
(I will now move this thread into the British & Irish forum.)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version