Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: peejyweejy on March 21, 2010, 08:09:12 PM

Title: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 21, 2010, 08:09:12 PM
I think this is what you call this piece but I am very curious about the pontil mark. I saw some Whitefriars drinking glasses at the Cambridge Glass fair with similar pontils. Is it wishful thinking?
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Lustrousstone on March 22, 2010, 07:24:27 AM
Pontil marks are not exclusive to Whitefriars. A lot of good old handmade glassware of every sort has such marks. Pontil mark = Whitefriars is yet another ebay myth.
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 22, 2010, 08:03:29 AM
Morning Christine - at least it's probably good quality...needle in a haystack trying to ID such pieces, I probably never will. Any idea of age?
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Bernard C on March 22, 2010, 10:19:58 AM
Peejy — Really top quality with a good early strap handle, which probably dates it to the mid-Victorian period, see Hajdamach I.  Beautifully accurate cutting.   The lower ring of "leaf" cuts is difficult to get so accurate anyway, but so well tucked under, and with the foot getting in the way.

Well above average, in my opinion, and English.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 22, 2010, 10:59:29 AM
Thanks so much Bernard.....I have a bit of a thing for glasses and they are so hard to trace!  :kissy:
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Pinkspoons on March 22, 2010, 11:15:14 AM
It's noted in Sweetmeat and Jelly Glasses by Therle Hughes that the fashion for short plain stems was introduced in the late 19th century.

With regards the handle, it mentions that this style was introduced during the 18th century, but was "so attractive - and so adequate for lightweight sweetmeats - that it is as often found on Victorian and later custard vessels."
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Bernard C on March 22, 2010, 11:29:51 AM
Nic — Thanks for the correction.   I must find myself a copy of the specialist book.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Pinkspoons on March 22, 2010, 12:03:43 PM
My pleasure - I've had it on my shelf for about 3 years, and this is the first occasion I've had to reference it.  ;D

But it can still be bought from new for £4.25 on Amazon... and only marginally less secondhand.
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Bernard C on March 22, 2010, 12:53:10 PM
Nic — I'll go for second-hand.   You can sometimes be really lucky and find interesting margin notes.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 22, 2010, 02:13:02 PM
It's noted in Sweetmeat and Jelly Glasses by Therle Hughes that the fashion for short plain stems was introduced in the late 19th century.

Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 22, 2010, 02:14:15 PM
I have just purchased the above book, paperback and secondhand, on Amazon for 95p plus P&P!

I wanted to put that under the quote, but couldn't do it....sorry.
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Bernard C on March 22, 2010, 02:41:44 PM
Peejy — you cost me 3p!   Mine was 98p plus p&p!   That's the end of the cheap ones, folks.  ;D

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 22, 2010, 04:12:02 PM
Sorry Bernard  >:D
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Bernard C on March 30, 2010, 05:19:37 PM
Nic & Peejy — What a fantastic little book!   How that escaped me so long I don't know.   It was published shortly after Lattimore — we have members who were potty training then!

I wish I'd had it when I started topic Tall elegant early? tazza / comport (http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,25724.0.html).

We had the tazza with us on Sunday at the Dulwich fair, and used it initially to display eleven stems in Stuart's lovely Emmerdale pattern, which sold quite quickly, then switched it back to a more traditional role of displaying a set of jelly glasses.  I will be sad to sell it as it is so useful as a display stand (much like my mahogany/glass witches' stool).

Grateful thanks, Nic.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: peejyweejy on March 30, 2010, 05:27:25 PM
...and that looks like your tazza on page 64 - how wonderful. It is a great little book and has been neatly tucked into my handbag ever since I received it.  :hiclp:
Title: Re: Optic cut glass custard cup with ground pontil - could it be Whitefriars?
Post by: Pinkspoons on March 30, 2010, 05:34:39 PM
Gosh, yes, there it is. Seems I should have cracked the spine on this book a little more often.