Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: jakgene on March 10, 2011, 04:57:32 AM
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Have just received this, bought from USA . - it is lovely - really pearlescent.
Am not sure what it is - possibly opal gemstone? which would make it 1993/94 only? It is 9cm diameter which corresponds to one of the sizes in this range.
Or could it possibly be the Golden mosaic range? although I see no listing for paperweights in this range, but the book I have ends at about this time so it may be more recent.
any opinions welcomed.
Thanks
JAK
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It does look like opal gemstone but your camera has had trouble focusing so it is hard to be definitive (my camera has difficulty focusing when the batteries are low). Here is another opal example: https://picasaweb.google.com/Johnmj100/MiscellaneousGlass#5526931562586020146
The colours on a paperweight are liable to be more intense than say a vase as the weight is not blown and the colours are not stretched out.
John
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lovely vase John. Does look like the same colourway as the weight.
It is probably not the camera that has trouble focussing - more like me. :-[ I will try and take some better photos and upload them ;D
Thanks
JAK
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changed the camera settings. hope these are better.
JAK
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Also my mistake, this was not bought from USA, it was Wales! JAK
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Definitely Gemstone. :thup:
Golden Mosaic... has gold in it!
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Thanks Sue - and is it Opal? which from the book is supposed to be a bit scarce?
Jak
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I believe it is.
I've just checked the colours against an Opal vase shown in the Studio Archive "sold" section.
It would seem that the Archive images are only available to Collector's Club members.
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Pretty sure it is opal - it is the only gemstone colourway described as being on a cream ground.
The photos are much better :hiclp:, I do like the organic sort of swirly nature of this paperweight. Oh no, it's a rocky road..... ;D
John
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Hi All,
Sorry to disappoint you all but this is actually Topaz -in my opinion and as far as I can tell from the image (anyone for a heated debate ???!). It would date though from '93/'94 only as it is a 'Pebble' rather than classified as a paperweight per se. However, as with glass and pottery animals, anything vaguiely usabled for that purpose can, and often is, called a 'paperweight' !
Now the sticker tells me that it was from '94 and possibly just into the start of '95 (probably due to stock on hand which sometimes cerated an I.D. overlap with stickers) hence no entry in the book as that went up to the date of Mike's death deliberately so that there would be a risk of Mark writing and publisthing a New Generation book revolving around the new era with out him.
In '93 & '94 there was a suplementary price list issued with Gemstone and a few other new ranges which are in my IoWSG folder but not in the book.
I also have a promotional leaflet in my folder showing clearly the difference between Opal and Topaz. Topaz has a much greater number of more sombre colours in the trailing than Opal which is lighter in the trailing colours and the background white.
If anyone wants to see these images call on our stand - dates on our website (www.ArtiusGlass.co.uk). This weekend at Malvern Flea John, if you are going.
(Oh yes John-definately going to get more pork pies - 'private comment' !!)
Best
Ron
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I think the boat sailed on private.... I created a rod for my own back, half my family now demand pork pies from Malvern. The chocolate seller has some nice goodies too, when it is freezing I go for the hot chocolate with chili. :sun:
I would like to see that leaflet Ron so will call by and pick your brains (once again).
John
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;D
I stand corrected on the pebble / pw bit, but my Topaz paperwight has greeny/yellowy/browny enamels laid on over the white base background.
I'm sticking with Opal. I'll try to get a pic. of the Topaz soon.
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Thanks everyone - seems the jury is still out on what colour it is. I would be interested to see photos of the other items in both colourways to see if I can define it a bit more. The colours in the swirls are very definitely green and pink with a trace of amber - which may just be where those colours overlap. It looks much more like the bottom half of the vase shown in John's link , and the background colour is a pearly white.
It doesn't look anything like the Topaz vase photo in the book Ron - but that is my only point of reference at present. I'd love to see the leaflet photos to see the differences between Opal and Topaz but I am a long long way from Malvern (I am in Western Australia ) Any chance of a scan please Ron? we have corresponded before - my email link is at left if that is possible.
regards
Jackie
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;D
Topaz pwt. The colours in the first pic. are pretty accurate. I'm pretty sure also, that the colours of the swirls are the same in every bit pf Gemstone - it's the background which is different. I've just been studying a picture I have of an Emerald lampbase (not mine to post- but I can ask) as well.
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Thanks again Sue, great to see a photo of a comparable weight (or pebble ;D) in Topaz.
However the more I study the photographs and compare them to the real thing the less I think it is topaz. The background is white all over. The top photo - where it looks a bit brownish , is because you are seeing through the whole weight to the base. The white layer on the top surface is stretched very thin and is almost transparent. It is much thicker on the sides and base - as per pictures 2,3,& 4 of my second lot. There is not a speck of topaz in the white areas. Yours shows topaz in the background colour quite clearly - mine has none of that.
might have to wait until I can bring it over on a visit to get a confirmation :usd: - pictures are no substitute for the real thing.
Thanks for all the input and interest
regards
Jackie
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With due respect to Ron's input, I have no doubts about your pebble being Gemstone Opal. :thup:
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Thanks Sue, I don't have much doubt either - just a teensy weensy bit still lingering. Would like to see the images from Ron's leaflets for more comparisons.
I can feel a trip back to the UK coming on - it has been 4 years and I can feel the horror at the thought of getting back on the aeroplane ebbing slightly. Maybe next year. And I'll put this in my pocket to bring with me and go and find Ron at whatever fair he is at!
regards
Jackie
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Having a look at Ron's leaflet and copies of the order forms this pebbleweight does look like Topaz. Both are on pale grounds with similar colours but Topaz is slightly darker. There was never as much difference between Topaz and Opal in comparison to the other colours. When changes were made opal was dropped as the stronger colours tended to be more popular.
John
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:huh:
Oh, dear, oh well....... :spls: