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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Ivo on December 07, 2009, 05:18:18 PM

Title: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Ivo on December 07, 2009, 05:18:18 PM
The large Bohemian lamp (how was this used?) from the 1870s/1880s has 10 cm eardrops as shown - but 2 are missing and 1 is damaged, so I really want to replace them with the drops from the small pressed candle stick. The Bohemian lamp wil have less glitter and a better view of the (quite handsome) foot - but would this be a sacrilege, an insult to the integrity of the glass design? 
Opinions eagerly awaited...
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: dirk. on December 07, 2009, 06:17:34 PM
Hi Ivo,
personally I would always prefer the original state of an item even if incomplete or
damaged. What about placing the left-over eardrops to one side? You´ll at least
get the impression of a complete item then.
You´ll otherwise only produce another marriage IMHO.
Kind regards,
Dirk
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: chopin-liszt on December 07, 2009, 06:50:19 PM
I'd put the drops on alternately - it would look better than without, or bits missing, and at least be balanced for display or use (if you want to be able to see it)

It's only a problem if you want to sell it, in which case, you'd be better to sell it as is, honestly.
You never know, the right sorts of bits might turn up.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: flying free on December 07, 2009, 07:52:50 PM
mmm I do love a chandelier ;D and I am not averse to reconfiguring one with different drops (alternate Victorian long crystals with murano glass long droplets in amber etc :) )especially since I cannot afford the ones I want so have to take what I find, which might have a number missing.
However....imho the smaller drops belong on a glass or crystal bowl type thingy and not on the larger goblet lamp - they are too small and somehow too 'round' or something.  I think I would keep the ones that belong on it, put them on alternately, keep the odd one left over just in case you find matches at some point, and then look for crystal drops that are either similar or at least the same length, and a longer shaped drop, for the alternate gaps.  Or go mad and put something totally out of keeping on it instead, in amber or green!  But definitley a bigger drop.
As I said, just an opinion ;D
m
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Ivo on December 07, 2009, 08:19:04 PM
Thank you for these really useful suggestions. I'll postpone the restauration until I find better matched drops - and keep an eye open for coloured ones!
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Anne on December 07, 2009, 09:47:13 PM
They do turn up on eBay so it's worth keeping an eye open there. I just saw these, but they might be a little too long:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250538909162
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Frank on December 08, 2009, 01:14:48 AM
Wilkinson's (London) could make you exact copies to replace those missing, or from stock, not frightfully expensive. This is what they do so most of the complete ones out there could possibly include their work.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Andy on December 09, 2009, 04:42:05 PM
Ivo,
did you see this link,
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,30423.0.html

maybe Chinacraft do other drops?

Andy
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Ivo on December 09, 2009, 05:22:28 PM
I'll just wait until I find a few suitable ones; I think I could not live with myself if I married a Bohemian antique to Chinese baubles - I'd rather marry two orphans of the same age. I'll not say never never of course. 
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: keith on December 09, 2009, 07:10:16 PM
I'll just wait until I find a few suitable ones; I think I could not live with myself if I married a Bohemian antique to Chinese baubles - I'd rather marry two orphans of the same age. I'll not say never never of course.

Outside of the GMB this would sound very strange don't you think?Keith.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: chopin-liszt on December 09, 2009, 07:27:15 PM
 >:D

You, marrying two orphans, strange? Ivo?

Nothing surprises me any more. But wouldn't it be bigamy?
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 30, 2010, 04:43:57 PM
Ivo....did you solve your problem with the crystal drops? I bought a job lot today, in charity shop, so if you're still looking let me know. I have two long drops measuring about 4" including the hanger and lots of smaller, joined, ones. I am going to take a picture soon and you can see for yourself.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 30, 2010, 04:59:22 PM
Managed to do it immediately...as you can see the long drops have the original wires and the shorter ones seem to have been rewired. Looks like someone was doing a DIY project and got bored or something.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Ivo on March 30, 2010, 05:33:39 PM
Never ran into a bucket like you - so the problem remains. Do you think it is possible to construct 6 identical ones of 4"length?
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 30, 2010, 05:40:57 PM
Possibly Ivo - if you email me your address I will send you a load - I have no need for them and I rather they went to good use!
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Frank on March 31, 2010, 02:57:54 PM
Ivo, you assume they are original drops, but who can say if they got replaced 90 years ago?
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Ivo on March 31, 2010, 03:33:12 PM
Spare me the fundamentalism, Frank. I will be replacing them with period pendants - an acceptable restauration either way.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: Ivo on April 16, 2010, 10:49:43 AM
Three cheers for Pauline!  :hiclp: :hiclp: :hiclp:
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: chopin-liszt on April 16, 2010, 01:02:16 PM
 :clap:
I like happy endings.
Title: Re: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?
Post by: peejyweejy on April 16, 2010, 01:55:58 PM
Me too - they look great Ivo  :thup: