Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: rbm6167 on March 01, 2011, 12:49:44 PM

Title: Can anyone help with ID of this butterfly paperweight?
Post by: rbm6167 on March 01, 2011, 12:49:44 PM

Came across this the other day but cannot work out the maker. I wondered if it were Bohemian but obviously do not know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It is 3 inches in diameter and a rough pontil mark. The butterfly appears to be hovering over a large mushroom shape.
Thanks
John

Title: Re: Can anyone help with ID of this butterfly paperweight?
Post by: KevinH on March 02, 2011, 12:22:52 AM

Probably is "Bohemian" (or Czechoslovakian).

But similar weights are known which are said to have been made by Czech imigrant workers at Pilkingtons, St Helens, probably mid-20th century. Some of those had "yellowed" glass but some were clear.

See also:
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,30124.msg163254.html#msg163254
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,36656.msg199672.html#msg199672
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,11527.msg84030.html#msg84030

Title: Re: Can anyone help with ID of this butterfly paperweight?
Post by: tropdevin on March 02, 2011, 07:31:16 AM

***

It is probably worth noting that 'Bohemian' does not imply 'old': there are many weights being made now in the Czech Republic that are in the style of the weights made a century ago when the Czech Republic was part of Bohemia.

My experience of Pilkington's Czech style weights is that they are neatly made with good quality glass, that usually has a yellow or green tinge to it.  I have seen butterflies similar to this, various flowers, lampworked names, coloured swirls - there are a lot of designs.

Alan