Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests > Glass Paperweights

Possibly Victorian paperweight featuring Shanklin Chine, Isle of Wight

(1/1)

chilternhills:
I recently bought this paperweight featuring Shanklin Chine on the Isle of Wight. The Chine has been a tourist attraction for over 200 years. It was mentioned by authoress Jane Austen in 1813 and the poet Keats in 1819. Keats Green is next door to the chine. A brief history is here: https://www.shanklinchine.co.uk/history/

The paperweight measures 5.2 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm high. A picture of the chine is stuck on the base. The caption at the bottom says "SHANKLIN CHINE I.W."

I am wondering if this is a genuine Victorian paperweight or produced later for the tourist trade? The base paper has some wear, but that may not mean much if someone wanted it to look older than it is. Since I bought the paperweight three months ago I have seen a couple of similar paperweights come up for auction online and a couple of others at an antique centre. One featured Ryde Esplanade.

I would welcome your thoughts. I will put the PW in the museum collection once I have clarified its origins.

Anton

Lustrousstone:
I would say it probably late 19th/early 20th (I might be wrong), but still produced for the tourist trade LOL. Tourist souvenirs have been big business for a long while. If it was newer, I would expect a photo. Lots of the catalogues show these plain paperweights to which you can add backs. I have a late 19thC souvenir of Blackpool, though it probably cost more than yours new http://lustrousstone.co.uk/cpg/displayimage.php?pid=1331

Stewart:
What a lovely item . My wife and myself visit the island regularly and she has loved the Chine since visiting as a child . Im guessing that there are not many of these about ? Its something I would love to buy her.So any Information would be greatly appreciated . Thank you.

tropdevin:
Hi

I agree it looks to be a genuine old piece (though that does not make it valuable - I have found it hard to sell any similar pieces that I have had even for £1.00!).

Alan

chilternhills:
In the 2 years since my original post I bought one more of these souvenirs. Not expensive as you say, Alan. I presented the second one to the Shanklin Chine Heritage Centre.

The glass museum has made a collection of about 20 Isle of Wight souvenir paperweights, ranging in date from the late 19th to early 20th century. Shanklin Chine, Carisbrooke Castle and Ryde Esplanade are well represented, but there are some obscure ones, like one of Whippingham Church. These souvenirs are not that easy to find, but I have alerts set up on various auction sites.

Anton

Navigation

[0] Message Index