Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: leabob on September 20, 2016, 08:26:07 PM

Title: paperweight id
Post by: leabob on September 20, 2016, 08:26:07 PM
Hello

Can anyone help me identify the maker of this paperweight?  I can't see any markings / makers name.  It's small, only about 1.5" across.

Many thanks

Leabob
Title: Re: paperweight id
Post by: paperweights on September 20, 2016, 09:45:20 PM
Scottish.  Either Vasart or Strathearn.  Around 1950s or 1960s.  One of the other members of this board will be more precise in the ID.
Title: Re: paperweight id
Post by: KevinH on September 20, 2016, 11:01:24 PM
Allan is correct.

But a photo of the base straight on, and also at an angle, may help to make it more precise.
Title: Re: paperweight id
Post by: leabob on September 21, 2016, 08:45:02 AM
Here is a photo from the base.

Thank you for your help on this.  Can I ask what makes you think it's Strathearn or Vasart?  I'm just interested in how you identify them!

Thanks again.
Title: Re: paperweight id
Post by: KevinH on September 21, 2016, 02:41:03 PM
It looks to me that the base finish is "fire polished" rather than "ground out". Therefore it is more likely that this one is from the Strathearn years (1964 - 1980) rather than the Vasart Ltd years (1956 to 1964).

As for identification, the millefiori canes are typical of Scottish design and the colours are also typical (but out of a wide range of colours) of work from the Vasart / Strathearn companies. Strathearn Glass was a renamed continuation of Vasart Ltd under new management.

The small ("miniature") weights were simple gift items produced in unlimited numbers. They were also used as attachments to a range of barware items.

Good detail can be found on Richard More's site covering Vasart & Strathearn (https://strathearn.smugmug.com/Strathearn-Paperweights/P9-Millefiori-Minature/i-B2bnFk3).  Note that Richard states the Strathearn miniatures did not appear in the 1978 Strathearn catalogue and so he believes they were discontinued from that point.
Title: Re: paperweight id
Post by: leabob on September 21, 2016, 05:31:00 PM
Thank you, that's great.  I'll have a look at the website too.

Leabob