Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. > British & Irish Glass
E.Varnish mercury glass with embossed seal, circa 1849
MHT:
Re the number scratched on the bottom, if you look hard you should find the same number scratched on the 'plug', I believe it was a way of matching the two. I have the same thing on a green Varnish & Co salt. There is more about this in Manley if anyone has a copy to hand.
flying free:
--- Quote from: KevinH on October 14, 2017, 05:09:15 PM ---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?
--- Quote from: drewfind on October 14, 2017, 11:34:51 AM ---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
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The cutting on the shape is lovely - there are cut diamonds/curved triangles? all around the rim if I can see correctly and also there might be vertical panel cuts on the body, as well as the spiral cuts around the body and foot.
It reminds me of Bohemian cut goblets for some reason.
I wonder if it was cut by a Bohemian glass cutter?
Would it be possible to put a clear large photograph up please? Many thanks.
m
drewfind:
Hi all
The etching to the base is to be further investigated.
MHT thank you for the information regarding the numbers to your base. I do not have a copy of Manleys glass book, and know very little about antique glass, this is my first foray into it really.
Its all in the hands of the dealer, I'm just trying to learn more.
Flying free, my apologies, this is the largest file I could send, when (and if) I get it back, I will take some more close ups for details.
Once again, thank you for your input
Andrew
Paul S.:
hello Andrew, and thanks for your reference to the V. & A. collections and their pieces of Varnish mercury glass - good to have someone that does actually use this free and marvellous source of information, and I've now had a look at the museum's on line data - and pix - for these pieces.
But, regret to say I am far from convinced that by simply adding comments such as .............. 'attributed to James Powell' or 'possibly made by James Powell' - that this is somehow definitive and unquestionable proof that E. Varnish patented pieces of mercury glass were made by Powell.
It's perhaps unfortunate that the museum haven't included the source of their information for this assertion - although to be fair most folk wouldn't be interested in that extent of detail.
The V. & A., certainly in past years, offered a drop in surgery once a month - on something like a Tuesday afternoon - and the public were invited to take along their glass for possible id - this may still be the situation. Perhaps one of us should pop along and ask if they might share their provenance for the Powell attribution. :)
P.S. Assuming this piece is your property still - very much hope you do get your glass back, eventually ;D
flying free:
Paul I agree with you.
It would be great to have the original reference source for the 'possibly' made by James Powell.
I've also wondered where the 'English Mercury Glass' was made.
Of course I can see that it was patented here but is that the same thing as being made here?
If it was a design and making idea that was patented here that might stop other makers here making it, but would that patent apply to America or Bohemia?
m
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