Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Ashley on July 27, 2016, 11:13:43 AM
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Hi - can anyone tell me what this piece of glass is which I found recently. It is bell shaped but the bell bit is shallower than a normal bell and there is no indication that there has ever been a clapper attached. It seems to be hand blown and to have some age to it, 19th century?. The base where it sits is ground and rough to the touch. Its a dark turquoise colour. Could it be to snuff out a candle? Its 4 inches high and diameter 3.5 inches. Many thanks, Ashley
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I think it's a bell with the bottom cut off from the poor quality base finish.
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Thanks Christine - my first thought was bell but wouldn't there normally be some method of attaching the clapper? - I've had victorian cranberry glass bells before and from memory don't they have a hole through the middle bit inside for attaching the clapper? there's no sign of anything, its absolutely smooth inside the middle - also I'm not sure the shape is right - my photo doesn't do it justice but if its a bell been cut down it would have been a really wide bell at the base.
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A clapper might have been stuck in with plaster of Paris. Some old bells have quite wide shoulders before going almost straight down until a gentle flare at the bottom, so if this was cut at the shoulder... Whatever it is, I think it's been cut down
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am sure I had one of these in clear - is it not a Dartington type stirrup cup - don't see anyone going to all the trouble of cutting down a bell.
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It has a very rough bottom rim that you really wouldn't want to drink from
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I understand there are some fox hunting folk who don't mind a rough bottom - it looks like Dartington's Kingfisher - where's John, he might know if this is Dartington. I've looked through the books but have to admit to not seeing this one. This would have been for decoration only though, surely.
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just had a vague memory ...... might these things be held in some form of frame and be used, cavity upward, for candles??
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My guess is, if it is an old piece of glass I think it is used in preparation or smoothing of cloth or some heavier fabric.
Just a guess.
Tim
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The top (handle) isn't big enough for smoothing with and you wouldn't be able to hold it at the "bell" end and if was used the other way round that nasty coarse grinding would have worn away
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:) I did mean handle way up. The reason I guessed that way is because there are solid glass smoothing tools roughly that shape.
I think I should stick to Scandinavian glass.
Tim
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those genuinely old glass linen smoothing pieces are almost always shaped like a darning mushroom but larger, and think the stem sometimes has a slightly 'bobbin turned' profile. The wooden examples used in darning were a little smaller, and then there were larger ones that I seem to recall were used for 'patting' butter - do I have that last bit right?
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Thanks for everyone's thoughts - I would like to think its a 19th century stirrup cup but Christine has a point that it would be a bit rough on the lips - although I've just tried it and its not too bad!! I couldn't get a good image of the top of the "handle" which definitely has a handmade appearance - its not quite uniform and there is like a swirl where the glass is folded (please excuse my poor terminology). I understand what Paul means about a candle holder which could sit in a frame, however I'm not sure a candle or tea light would sit flat as there is like a round bulge on the inside where the handle meets the "bowl". Ashley
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That grinding is very rough and I can't recall seeing anything old with that poor a finish. Glasses with cut rims tend to have a fine highly polished finish and even pressed glass may have a fine but matte finish on the base
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am sure this is quite modern - some time in the last 20 - 30 years - no older I don't think.
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We see a lot of these in clear here, and those are used in wire frames. The knop is heavy and holds it down. Ball candles is what fires them.
But I must admit, I've never seen them in teal. At a guess I would say it was made by Euroglass in Romania, they do a lot in this colour. And they just love their finishes rough.
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quite correct .......... I saw a set in clear this morning - two cups that sit in a metal frame - cups pointing upward, but regret didn't see a maker or retailers name. So we now have the answer for you Ashley.
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Hmmm... Humour me and flick the "bell" bit with your fingernail and report back on what sound you hear please
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I would love to say it has a beautiful clear ringing sound but I'm afraid its more of a ping!! sorry Christine
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;) Better than a pong.
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I always thought a pong was a 'pen and ink' ;)
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You clearly don't live with somebody who has IBS.
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sorry, have I been admonished? - didn't see any smileys. Flatulence only, fortunately.
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Sorry, sorry, sorry! :-[ there should have been a ::) in there, Paul.
I got distracted, remembering the time I accidentally breathed a pong in through my mouth and had to taste it too.
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no problem Sue - you will always be my big time friend on the GMB. :-* ;D