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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Patti3435 on April 26, 2012, 03:52:42 PM

Title: Cut Crystal Apothecary / Candy Jar Urn with Etched Jar Design Looking for Info
Post by: Patti3435 on April 26, 2012, 03:52:42 PM
Hi. Found this yesterday at a thrift shop. First, would you call this an apothecary jar or a candy jar? I think it is either. It stands 12.5" tall. It is a quality piece. Was hoping to find out any info on it such as manufacturer or country of origin. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
Title: Re: Cut Crystal Apothecary / Candy Jar Urn with Etched Jar Design Looking for Info
Post by: Paul S. on April 26, 2012, 07:36:28 PM
Hello Patti - very attractive piece - obviously you visit quality shops. :)
You don't give your location on the globe, so unsure what these might be called in your neck of the woods - but in the U.K. this shape of glassware was described originally as a lidded sweetmeat, and would have been seen on affluent tables from the second half of the C18 until the end of the Regency/beginning Victorian period.   Smaller versions are more likely to be called lidded jars.
I would suggest there is a lot of high quality cutting on this one (a method of decoration using grinding wheels and polishing)  - although as far as I can see there doesn't appear to be any etching (the use of acid only- instead of grinding wheels).
The colour of the glass appears to be very clear - indicating a possible C20 manufacturing date  -  although in view of the busy background with leaves etc., the detail is less easy to see.       It's very unlikely you'll find a maker - cut glass was made in profusion for over 200 years, and almost none was marked - although sometimes a particular style of cutting can indicate a place of origin.
What sort of wear is on the underside of the base - and are there tiny bubbles or even stones in the glass  -  both of which, if present, are likely to indicate a pre C20 manufacturing date.    Is the condition pristine, or are the signs of wear and abrasion.
If this was period then it should be lead glass i.e. should give a good ring when flicked.
The strawberry diamonds or checkering is particulary attractive, and my personal opinion would be that the cut design of an urn or jar does indicate a more recent manufacture.
Congratulations on finding a great piece, and sorry can't really help with the questions you have asked.
Title: Re: Cut Crystal Apothecary / Candy Jar Urn with Etched Jar Design Looking for Info
Post by: johnphilip on April 26, 2012, 08:18:56 PM
Wow that has an amazing amount of work in it and would have been very costly to make , i would love to have found that , well done . jp
Title: Re: Cut Crystal Apothecary / Candy Jar Urn with Etched Jar Design Looking for Info
Post by: Patti3435 on April 26, 2012, 09:59:51 PM
Thank you Paul and JohnPhillip. I appreciate you taking the time to look and share your knowledge. There is quite a bit of base wear to answer your question and it does have a beautiful ring to it. I am an eBay seller and will be posting this tonight for sale under my ID FourWinns4Fun. While it is quite beautiful, my objective is to pay for my son's $50K a year design school in NYC. I'm hoping this will at least pay for a text book! So again, thank you for your help. You have given me insight into what it is.
Title: Re: Cut Crystal Apothecary / Candy Jar Urn with Etched Jar Design Looking for Info
Post by: Patti3435 on April 26, 2012, 10:12:58 PM
Ahhh, so you were quite right Paul, it is a bit newer! This is a Pairpoint Cut Glass decorated with the Adams pattern known as "Urn with Flame" Sweetmeat Jar, circa 1917. Thank you so much again for putting me on the right track! 
Title: Re: Cut Crystal Apothecary / Candy Jar Urn with Etched Jar Design Looking for Info
Post by: Paul S. on April 27, 2012, 07:57:35 AM
Well done Patti for finding an attribution -  this should increase the value which hopefully will buy you more than one textbook - good luck with the ebay sale :)