Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: pigpicker on September 08, 2018, 07:24:26 PM
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Hi,
Long story short but I’ve been given 3 round ‘fishbowl’ tankard glasses from my Dad and I’d like to buy some more.
(Pictures attached)
These 3 were part of a set of 6 that he and my mum were given as a wedding present in the late 60’s.
It might sound weird but these glasses were a FUNDAMENTAL part of my childhood ;D and I can fondly remember them filled with beer at many, many parties.
Sadly only 3 now remain and these 3 haven’t been used for years! A few weeks ago, after a reminisce session, my Dad said that I could have them and I was over the moon! Haha.
They are so unique and I love them and I’d really like to bring the set of 3 back up to 6 again.
But after a couple of hours on Google and eBay I have found nothing that comes close to them. There are no markings or makers’ names on them to lookup/search for and so I’m turning to the ‘experts’ on here for help.
Could anyone point me in the direction of any more of these glasses? Does anyone know who made them or have any more info on them?
Mum thinks they might be Danish ... or Dartington ... or from Rackhams. Is it any wonder why I haven’t been able to find any!?! ::)
Looking forward to hearing back from anyone with any more info.
Thanks
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Hi and welcome. :)
I can't really see the construction properly, in order to help you. Would you please take another pic of the base, we need to see that, and one that shows how the handle is attached - from what I can make out, it almost looks like the same piece of glass, so it may have been made in a mould, but I'm not sure there could be moulds made that incoporate handles that long ago.
Is there a round shiney depression in the middle of the bottom?
Even if we can't find out where they came from, I'm sure there are contemporary glassmakers who might be happy to make more for you, which would be very similar.
It's funny how you get attached to certain things and these are unusual in their roundy-ness. ;D
My partner has a smoke coloured tankard from, I think, Wedgwood, (it's unmarked) a unique hand made one. He won't use anything else since I found it for him. It does feel good when you've got hold of it. :)
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Hi Sue ... and thanks!
Thanks for coming back. Yes it sounds odd but these glasses are so satisfying to hold and they’re just .... different. I’d love to have more ... even if made bespoke.
See attached for more photos as requested.
The handle must have been added rather than moulded as one with the bowl - even to my amateur eye.
And there does indeed appear to be a round shiny depression in the base ... whatever that means :D
What DOES that mean?
Mark
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I would look at continental punch bowl and fire punch sets, common to see punch cups in the same shape as the punch bowl.
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Thanks - will have a look
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The round depression in the middle of the bottom is what is called a round polished pontil scar. It's an indication of it being a unique, hand made and blown piece of glass. Not made in a mould. The hot glass has to be attached to a rod to work the rim and add the handle, then it has to be broken off. This leaves a "scar" on the bottom. After cooling, it can be further refined by cutting out around the scar and polishing, while cold, the round depression left behind. Polishing glass is a labour intensive process, and only carried out on something of quality. It makes it more expensive.
I can see from the new pics that the handles have been attached, thanks!
Makers do do handles differently - it depends on whether they start at the top or at the bottom.
The polished pontil scar does indicate they're individually hand made.
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Hi and welcome to the board. I am trying to get an idea of size, could you measure height and width please ignoring the handle, and add as a reply, it could help. Thanks!
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Thanks Sue - very interesting!
It’s a shame there’s no stamp or maker’s name to indicate ‘who’ hand-made them.
Hi Anne ... the dimensions, not including handles, are as follows
- The diameter across the top (outside to outside) is around 9cm
- The thickness of the glass at this point is 4mm - so quite thick ... which is one of the reasons why I like them so much
- The width of the vessel at its widest point is just over 12cm
- The width of the flat base is 62mm
- The height of the vessel is around 10.5cm
Due to the fishbowl nature of the glasses, most of the measurements are not bang on but are as close as possible for a Sunday night.
Hope these are useful
Thanks
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Well the size is good for a punch cup and the shape is a classic, a search for "Leonardo Punch Bowlebecher" and you'll see this general shape is still available. WMF were making the same shape 40-60 years ago and some lovely cut and etched glass sets from the early 1900's also feature the same shape, yours looks well made. D
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Thanks,
A quick search returns some promising images but nothing so close that I would be happy to buy.
Are there artisan glass-smiths (is that even a word?? :-\ ) that i could take one of my glasses to for them to create replicas? Do such services exist?
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Yes they would be new ones, depends if you want to set up a search and look everyday until some turn up then Bowlebecher or bowle set might be a good way to go, but unless I could hold it I wouldn't be happy trying to buy a match either unless you get lucky in your hunting and manage to identify the maker then buying online might work. Good luck and enjoy the hunt :)
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There may well be a studio near you where you might find a glassmaker who would make these for you on commission.
I've asked a wonderful glassmaker, (Alastair Malcolm) to make me a claret jug set before.
But there might be somebody closer to you. :)
Can I assume from the dimensions that these are half-pint pots?
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From memory it holds nearly a pint.
I’m away from home for a couple of days but will measure when I get back.
I bet terms of commissioning a glassmaker ...what sort of price are you looking at for say 4 bespoke glasses like this?
Thanks
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Sorry - took a while to get back to this.
These glasses hold pretty much exactly a pint
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Different makers will have different prices, I would imagine.
Alastair made my wineglasses in 2005 and they were £40 each, but they have a very complex stem. I've got a feeling £40 would be about the price of a good Wedgwood pint pot in the secondary market, something of similar quality to the ones you have.
I don't really think you'd pay more to get them made than you would to buy good quality second-hand, and that's assuming you could find it.
You want to find somebody who has experience of, or is willing to learn how to put handles on. They're more difficult than you might first think. It's important to keep the balance and weight right, for it to be sturdy and hold the body well when full.