Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: wiggy131 on July 04, 2013, 06:18:22 PM

Title: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: wiggy131 on July 04, 2013, 06:18:22 PM

Hello, does anyone recognize this? It looks like it might be a glass salt to me. Gilded with greek key pattern and the glass is very clear and heavy. It is small and just measures 3.5 inches tall.
Has scratches to the base, so must be of some age at least?
Would love to hear from anyone who recognizes it!
Best Wishes
Vickie

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 04, 2013, 07:34:34 PM

It could be a master salt but I wonder whether it's missing a lid

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: wiggy131 on July 04, 2013, 07:59:16 PM

Thanks Christine, I shall do some research. I havn't heard of the term "Master Salt" before - so I have learnt something there!
Vickie  :D

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Ivo on July 04, 2013, 08:31:34 PM

looks like an open salt from the beginning of the 19th century - the square foot is very period.

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Paul S. on July 04, 2013, 08:43:06 PM

Hi Vickie.........Wot, you've never heard of  'Happy Families'  -  Master Salt, Mrs. Salt, Mr. Salt, Miss Salt..... ;) ;)

I did wonder about a comfit/small sweetmeat glass  -  the height it about o.k., but not sure about the style of foot.           If this were a master salt - and made in the U.K. -  then I would have thought post 1825 probably, which was when the U.K. tax on salt was abolished - otherwise pricey to fill maybe.

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: wiggy131 on July 04, 2013, 08:49:09 PM

Yes, have heard of happy families, but didn't remember the names! Do you think it is a Regency Era (Circa 1830) master salt? Was the Greek Key pattern popular in that time, classical revival?
Vickie

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Paul S. on July 04, 2013, 08:55:11 PM

Regret I'm unsure as to it's true purpose - it may well be a salt  -  but can say that Ivo's comments about the foot are correct  -  also that the Greek Key pattern was popular from the beginning of the C19 (the start of the Regency period) - often in a gilded form on things like finger bowls.
Anyone know if salt would degrade the gilding??

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Ivo on July 05, 2013, 06:37:42 AM

www.opensalts.info/
www.opensalts.us/
www.ebay.com/sch/ Open-Salts-/580/i.html
opensalts.net/

Etc etc


Square feet originated in France circa 1790 and remained popular until 1840.

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Paul S. on July 05, 2013, 08:21:21 AM

thanks to Ivo for taking the time to add these links. :)

Whilst I agree with comments about the square pedestal foot shape, this was a feature that was copied and drifted on through the C19 at intervals.
It seems that Kosta (Sweden) weren't averse to this foot shape (with gilding too) c. 1880, and I belive that Baccarat were keen on gilding and square shaped feet in parts of the C19.

For the U.K., Regency open salts were ornate, but typified by their thickness, colour of glass, cutting and lack of gilding  - have attached pic that believe shows British examples from c. 1820.

Although the Greed Key pattern may have started life around 1800, it was popular on and off through much of the C19  -  it was used commonly by makers of some of the opaline and vitrified pieces around the 1870 - 1880 period in what I think is termed the neo-classical decoration.

My personal opinion is that whilst this has some features of the early C19, the plain smooth glass plus its shape, put it much later in that century.       For gilding to survive intact to this extent on a piece of utility glass is remarkable, had it been much older.
This example may well be French or Bohemian - what do people think?

Not so sure that I have understood the term 'master salt'  -  does this mean simply a large salt  -  might I be correct in thinking it doesn't have the same meaning as, for example, the 'captain' or master glass' when speaking of sweetmeats or syllabub glasses.        In that context there were other smaller glasses surrounding the main piece.             Or perhaps if you have a master salt, are there are other little salts in attendance. :)

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 05, 2013, 08:30:47 AM

A master salt as I mean it here it is one that serves the whole table rather than for an individual

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: Ivo on July 05, 2013, 08:38:57 AM

Quote

In addition to the master salt, smaller, simpler salt cellars were distributed for diners to share

Wikipedia

Title: Re: Glass Salt? Gilded Greek Key Pattern
Post by: wiggy131 on July 05, 2013, 06:10:32 PM

Ditto - thanks to Ivo for taking the time to add these links and all the research you have done for me. I have a feeling it might be Baccarat as well! The Antiques Roadshow are in town next week, so I think I will take it along to see what they say too, and I'll let you all know!
Thank you for your continued help
Vickie
P.s Just added another ID request for a Turquoise bubble pattern vase!