Topic: English Freeblown Opaline Creamer?

[cagney]

  This is the first piece of early blown glass I bought, way back in the day. Originally I thought it American as it compares favorably in the blueish tint in diffused light and the fiery opalescence in direct light of some American pressed glass from roughly 1830 onward. There is hardly any documented American blown ware in this color pre- 1840. Plenty of American pressed glass, mostly lacy cup plates and salts, some in opaque blues of different shades. Due to the rarity of American examples I now think it probably English. Would a date of 1800-1820 be about right?
  Solid applied foot and handle [missing curl]. 5 in. tall to top of handle [ 12.5 cm ] rough snapped pontil. Nice wear ring on the foot bottom edge and even some high point wear on the bulbous part of the body, right about where the handle curl has chipped off. Lead glass.

  If it were American it would probably date c. 1830-1850.

[flying free]

I really don't know but is there also a possibility it could be French perhaps?

m

[cagney]

  It may be a possibility. Usually when I think French I look for some extra work such as gilding or other decorative techniques as well as a polished pontil. There seems to be a fair amount of creamers in this basic shape of various colors ascribed to England dating from around 1800 or so. As well as blown  sugar basins in this color.

[flying free]

yes actually, I agree about the pontil mark usually being polished on French pieces even on pieces from early 1800s. Not sure the enamelling or plain is an issue on what would be an early piece though.

I recall what you mean about the sugar basins sometimes seen listed as well now you mention it and do see the similarity.

m

[flying free]

Do you mean like these types of items?:

https://www.18cglass.co.uk/product/georgian-bristol-blue-cream-jug-and-sugar-bowl-set/

https://www.19cglass.co.uk/product/georgian-white-opaline-glass-sugar-bowl/

I've always wondered what company might have made them though?  There never seems to be any suggestion of factory.

m

[Paul S.]

just a thought, but is opaline the correct term here?   -  possibly these are more opalescent???                    Of the opaline I have seen, most is less translucent than this piece.

[flying free]

Paul, it might be good to get the book Les Opalines by Christine Vincendeau (expensive mind you) - I'm sure in there (looking through my reference source file and information I've copied for private use from other sources) -  under the Opalines she discusses Gorge de Pigeon and Bulle de Savon for example.

Also I put a link to an excellent piece on opaline glass from Marcus Verita on another thread - did you see that link?

The jug is opaline (translucent glass) and opalescent because it has a fiery glow (made with lead arsenate crystals? - maybe?)

m

[cagney]

  'm's  links are pretty much exactly what I was alluding too in my roundabout way. I have seen these type pieces variously described as from Bristol or Stourbridge. Probably a catch all. Never a certain factory given.

  As to opalescent or opaline. It certainly is opalescent, in fact the collector term in wide usage here in U.S.A. would be "fiery opalescent" I was under the impression that the term opaline encompassed a wide range of opal glass. The term not much used here.

[flying free]

I might have seen them alluded to as Newcastle - but that's not a definite.  I think that might just pertain to the mid blue nearly opaque mugs with similar handle to your jug.  I think there might be a possibility those mugs came in from Europe and then were gilded with 'souvenier' words once here. Just a possibility.

m

[flying free]

Paul, it might be good to get the book Les Opalines by Christine Vincendeau (expensive mind you) - I'm sure in there (looking through my reference source file and information I've copied for private use from other sources) -  under the Opalines she discusses Gorge de Pigeon and Bulle de Savon for example.

Also I put a link to an excellent piece on opaline glass from Marcus Verita on another thread - did you see that link?

The jug is opaline (translucent glass) and opalescent because it has a fiery glow (made with lead arsenate crystals? - maybe?)

m

I've no idea why I typed Marcus. Apologies.  It's Marco Verità .