Topic: Stuart Darlington variant??

[catshome]

I thought I'd identified these glasses as Stuart Crystal, Darlington pattern, but now I'm not sure.  They are unmarked, and marked versions appear to have some differences :

5 flowers versus 3
8 cuts to the foot versus 6
No dots around the point where the stems intersect versus 4

Replacements.com show both variants, although their sketch of the pattern has 5 flowers and does not have the 4 dots.

https://www.replacements.com/webquote/studarl.htm?query=stuart%20darlington

Would Stuart have made variants of the same pattern?

Thanks
Cat

[chopin-liszt]

I don't know the age of these, which might have some bearing on your query.

I do know that the forms of cutting can change over the years within companies - Edinburgh certainly. I've been paying attention to the quality of cutting on their flagship Thistle decor, and it is not nearly the same quality now as it used to be. There is significant loss of detail, not nearly so much work put into each piece. Profit deemed more important than quality, again.

Cuts sometimes have to be adjusted to fit the vessel they're on better too.
All together, I wouldn't rule them out as being right. If the quality is there, a few details difference should not neccessarily indicate anything odd.

I am more concerned about the number of cuts in the base than I am about 3 vs 5 flowery bits. The number of base cuts do tend to be consistent in Edinburgh. I don't know about Stuart.

[Paul S.]

Sue  -  am I right in thinking that 'Edinburgh' cut glass has been made and cut in Czechoslovakia for several years now  -  and doubtless farmed out for the sake of cheapness??         Some of the E. & L. cut pieces form the earlier years was stunning.

[chopin-liszt]

Some has been outsourced yes, but not the "standard classics" such as the Thistle and Star of Edinburgh patterns.
But the quality of work on Thistle has suffered. Mostly in the detail of the etched flowers around the top.

[Paul S.]

thanks for that.

[chopin-liszt]

I think Iona is another they still do in-house. When it comes to these old classics, folk won't buy them if they're outsourced. They want the "real thing".