Topic: Please help me to identify this paperweight

[jingyel]

Another paperweight bought from same collector

[jingyel]

pictures. The diameter is about 3"

[jingyel]

The bottom seems not completely sealed with step edge. Any suggestion?

[user9318]

I may be incorrect, but it looks like a Whitefriars paperweight to me, it also looks like it has a indented ring on the base. If I am wrong, someone will be along to correct me.

[KevinH]

Yes, it is a Whitefriars weight (and not Caithness Glass "Whitefriars type").

The top and five side windows, and the base formation are typical.

In Reply 2, the first image shows a cane [lower part of image] that differs from the rest in row 5 (counting from the inside to outer rows). That should be a dated signature cane - the "signature" being a white friar (hooded and robed) - probably only clearly seen with a strong magnifyer.

[chopin-liszt]

I've got a Caithness sort. The monk cane is in the base, not under the dome.
Is that normal, Kev?
Is that another way to distinguish them? (Apart from Caithness just about always being fully and properly marked.  )

[KevinH]

Hi Sue,

Truth is, I don't know what is "normal" in respect of the "monk cane" for either the original Whitefriars or the later Ciathness versions.

But my gut feel is that the original ones usually (always??) had a clear base through whihc the "signature cane" could be seen (albiet in reverse mode). Did the Cauthness versions also have a clear base? - I don't know.

What I do know is that even after examining original Whitefriras versions for several minutes, many folk still cannot find the signature cane when inlcuded in a row of similarly coloured canes!!

[tropdevin]

***
One way to distinguish Whitefriars from 'Caithness Whitefriars' is the glass: Whitefriars are made of heavy lead crystal, whereas Caithness are made of a lighter glass.  I think that most of the Caithness Whitefriars signature canes include the date (which will be 1981 or later).

Alan

[chopin-liszt]

I have no other weights to compare weightiness with.
The base is clear, the monk cane is in the base, but it's a bit distorted. It looks more like a capital letter I.
No date, but clearly acid etched marked, with the edition number hand etched.
Thanks very much to you both for the extra information.

[tropdevin]

***

Thinking more about it, I should have said that the date is often included with the cane in the millefiori designs.  The lampwork designs in the 'Caithness Whitefriars' range usually have a solitary stylised monk.  Incidentally, there are over 220 different Caithness Whitefriars designs....

Alan