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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: WhatHo! on November 27, 2012, 05:46:51 PM

Title: Stunning bowl - signed - ID = Stevens & Williams
Post by: WhatHo! on November 27, 2012, 05:46:51 PM
What Ho! I was hoping you clever chaps may be able to help me with the identification of this bowl.
It is lead crystal, 5.5" across and has a ground pontil.
The outside of the bowl has very fine threading which spirals all the way round and isn't concentric rings. The threading very accurate and must have been done in some sort of jig. The superb pattern is made by flat long bubbles in the glass. How they made this I couldn't imagine!!
The pontil is hand signed with a stylus and looks like it starts with 'B' and ends in a 'L' , I could be wrong here of course!!
Im not even sure of it date, although looks similar to glass from the 20s-30s.
Any help with this puzzler would be most appreciated, regards Wolfie
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 27, 2012, 06:39:33 PM
Fascinating! I've notaclu. It's obviously a bit special... I was wondering if what looks like a signature might be numbers - but upside down, Wolfie. (I'm not too good at standing on my head today.)
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2012, 06:43:07 PM
is it some form of ariel glass? or thalatta?  I can't see any in this kind of more whimsical shape though, they all seem to be very modernist and thick walled.
m
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: chopin-liszt on November 27, 2012, 06:46:29 PM
I'd think so, yes.
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Paul S. on November 27, 2012, 07:08:58 PM
not a clue either Wolfie - but since the hey-day of machine threading was the second half of the C19 - and that bubble decoration looks a little nouveau  -  then possibly not C20.         Do you think the wear looks as though it might equate to that sort of period??       
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2012, 07:10:14 PM
Flipping the numbers over as they are back to front I think it reads possibly
Rd 637188? which is 1918 if it is an Rd number
or it if it Rd 137188 it equates to 1889 - Stevens and Williams registered numbers around then, and it reminded me of the Moresque momentarily looking at it .  But I have no idea whether or not it or even could be - had they invented 'ariel' type bubbles stuff then?
m
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2012, 07:17:12 PM
following on from my post above
this is Moresque and it is described as having airtrap and dating to 1889
http://blackcountryhistory.org/collections/getrecord/DMUSE_BH4134/
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Paul S. on November 27, 2012, 07:38:42 PM
it was on the tip of my tongue to say the bubble patterning looked as though it had an Iznik flavour.   Well done m.    I think there is something in Hadjamach - pages 276 - 277 regarding this 'Moresque' creation from S. & W.
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2012, 11:44:33 PM
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,50347.msg284493.html#msg284493
design number may be Rd137288 ?
Bernard refers to it in this thread with reference the vase in the first picture I believe.
Steven's and Williams Moresque.
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Anne on November 28, 2012, 02:47:31 AM
I'm reading it as upside too, and rotated I'm seeing Rd 137288 which dates to 4 Nov 1889, Stevens & Williams. It's gorgeous!
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Lustrousstone on November 28, 2012, 11:37:10 AM
The threading will be machine done. William J. Hodgetts patented a glass-threading machine 6th May 1876.
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Frank on November 28, 2012, 12:31:14 PM
That is wonderful, bubbles are gotten by using a dip mould... same principle as ordinary controlled bubbles but with formers instead of spikes to force the air under the surface and then elongating a bit more by the look of it. Quite a find, charity shop ?
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: WhatHo! on November 29, 2012, 01:09:06 PM
Hi Guys, thanks so much for your help! Sorry about having it upside :) i have added a new pic the right way around.
It think it reads Rd 137188 not the '72' as suggested? i could be wrong of course.
I found it at a fleamarket, its was very inexpensive, it could see it the great work that had gone in to it and when I noticed the sig I thought 'im having you'  :)
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Lustrousstone on November 29, 2012, 01:12:17 PM
Post edited. I'm confuddled
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: WhatHo! on November 29, 2012, 01:18:08 PM
Oh yes, sorry for that :) A very pleasing find!
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: flying free on November 29, 2012, 01:58:09 PM
Christine did you mean 137288? fits with St & W moresque -
What ho, the two is slightly differently done compared to the 1 at the beginning - it's a very scratchy mark but I think it is a 2 nonetheless.
m
Title: Re: Stunning bowl - signed
Post by: Anne on November 29, 2012, 03:10:51 PM
I agree with M, it was the difference between the characters that was obvious.