Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Otis Orlando on July 05, 2013, 11:42:35 PM
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I'm just fascinated over this little glass tumbler purchased earlier today. It's made up of more air pockets than glass! It's irregular in shape. viewing from front on elevation, the sides are at different lengths. Straightion lines are also clearly visible, that is, under magnification around the glass and base area. The curved dia. rim base apparently has notches that are roughly equally spaced, something I have not seen before on finished pieces. The thickness of the tumble is approx. 0.2cm. You can actually feel the air pockets externally and internally. I've looked at some of the past threads relating to bubble tumblers, but still uncertain as to the origin of this one. Any help appreciated.
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just possible it might be recent production from the middle east :-\
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Just reminded me why I steer clear of glass I think may have made North of the border Paul.
Chris
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I agree with Paul. Looks like recycled Egyptian glass.
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Mexico made lots of this ware as well.
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Recent, I'm enclined to agree with, as there is no signs of ware to even call it vintage. A very attractive piece though in my opinion. Since on display in my cabinet has definitely shown a lot of interest. It's a shame that a lot of these types of tumblers are difficult to identify when you read past threads. Thanks for your help all the same :).
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I think there is (certainly in the U.K.) a more than average amount of interest in this type of bubbly glass, Otis. If you look at the chapter in Hajdamach, for example, he devotes quite a lot of ink to this type of glass, much of it produced in the first half of the C20, and some of which is very desireable. Possibly the variety seen most frequently is Walsh 'Pompeian', which does turn up not uncommonly, and ironically does exist in a blue very similar to this piece.
However, I don't think that any of them have a 'stub' type of pontil scar like yours, and the glass is usually far less strongly populated with bubbles that can be felt.
If you can find a piece of 'Pompeian' you'll see the difference - and which in any event is a good way of learning about similar but different types of glass :)
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Had a good search on Mexican glass and not entirely convinced I should be looking in this direction, but want rule it out and thanks all the same.
If you look at the chapter in Hajdamach, for example, he devotes quite a lot of ink to this type of glass, much of it produced in the first half of the C20, and some of which is very desireable. Possibly the variety seen most frequently is Walsh 'Pompeian', which does turn up not uncommonly, and ironically does exist in a blue very similar to this piece.
However, I don't think that any of them have a 'stub' type of pontil scar like yours, and the glass is usually far less strongly populated with bubbles that can be felt.
If you can find a piece of 'Pompeian' you'll see the difference - and which in any event is a good way of learning about similar but different types of glass :)
I was unaware of Popeian Glass and Charles Hajdamach until now Paul. Would this be the book your are referring to: ISBN-13: 978-1851495870. I think this is his latest book.
Just to let you know, Ive got the small glass bubbled dish that has less bubbles, mostly elongated in shape and without the protruding scar. I will have to post it now. Hoping it might be Popeian glass ;D.
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Well Otis, I am going to suggest you examine the base very carefully for a scratched TL. It could even be on the pontil mark itself. That bubbled blue glass is so like what he used in Melbourne years ago I was astounded. The bottle has a TL on the pontil mark itself and another signature I can't figure out. The decanter is fully signed - Tom Levkovski. He was a glass tutor at Monash(Caulfield) glass school for many years.
Ross
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Hi Ross, there is some form of markings, but not something I can clearly see, even under magnification. I think my eyes are now trying to project characters onto the pontil area ;D. It could be that they are just tool marks left sometime after the rod was snapped off. Probably during the polishing process? The marks are fairly indented and a lot darker than the colour of the glass. I've tried cleaning these particular area with a none abrasive nylon brush, thinking it might be grime, but tbh I don't really think they are the markings by Tom Levkovski. I was able to view the signature within the GMB user gallery and can assure you that I am unable to find anything like that.
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But the colour looks right doesn't it!
Ross
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I think these tumblers are actually made in India.
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I agree with Paul. Looks like recycled Egyptian glass.
Mexico made lots of this ware as well.
I think these tumblers are actually made in India.
Oh deary, deary me! This looks like a difficult one to ascertain any real concreate evidential fact. It also makes it difficult with ambiguity thrown into the works, even though they may be genuine reasons for your thoughts and of course, it doesn't help when they are no clear markings. I'm just at a loss with this one :(. Looking on the bright side. I still think it's a fascinating piece ;). Hopefully from the information gathered, Ross will be in a better position to rule out the likely possibility of it being a TL piece.
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Never mind Otis - this is all the fun of glass collecting. ;D
Your ISBN reference seems to be correct Otis - it's Charles Hajdamach's most recent volume - C20 British Glass - although obviously it covers the U.K. only, but essential really if you have the remotest interest in British glass.
As with his previous book, this is again too heavy for a single volume, but publishers save money where they can I suppose. Attached pix of my copy which eventually cheesed me off to the point where I'm now re-binding to make two volumes. One volume already resewn, with supports - and the other waiting to be sewn. New marbled endpapers - probably unsuitable - but any port in a storm - and the brown paper waste sheets helps to protect the text block until the end papers are pasted to the boards, when the waste sheets are torn free and thrown away.
If you don't have this book, I'm sure there are 2nd hand copies on the internet for not too many shekels, and it really is worth the money, and when you do get a copy you'll be able - hopefully - to see the difference between period bubbles and modern bubbles ;) :)
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Thank you ever so much Paul, for such a little piece like this, can cause controversy amongst the group. Oh well, like you say. It is all part of the fun ;D. I will definitely look into purchasing his latest book, as I do also think it will help me have a better understanding. Sounds like that book you've got will cost more in postage, judging by the size and weight ;D.
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may be of interest to add this small piece from this morning - a shape which I've seen before, and which if seen at a market or fair might be assumed to be much older than it is. Almost certainly of very recent manufacture, and probably of middle eastern origin.
A lot of mostly smallish bubbles and the odd small seed/stone, but lacking any age related wear. Nice colour though. :)
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For reference I can confirm that your little blue piece is recently out of Egypt.
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many thanks - I was unsure as to which country, but assumed it was from that general area. :)
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may be of interest to add this small piece from this morning - a shape which I've seen before, and which if seen at a market or fair might be assumed to be much older than it is. Almost certainly of very recent manufacture, and probably of middle eastern origin.
A lot of mostly smallish bubbles and the odd small seed/stone, but lacking any age related wear. Nice colour though. :)
Thank you for adding this to my post and highlighting how easy it is to be mislead. I've just purchased a lovely little glass vase today. It took me a while to consider whether to buy it or not. I'm finding it hard now to make direct choices, especially knowing what I do know now >:(. I suppose, looking on the bright side, if you like it, then go for it! ;)