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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: WhatHo! on November 19, 2016, 12:45:19 AM

Title: small paperweight id pls
Post by: WhatHo! on November 19, 2016, 12:45:19 AM
Hi, it will be interesting to see what you guys think of this.
Its 1 3/4" across and has a flat ground base with wear. Although the base is flat ground you can see very very slight angles on it if you get the light just right.
Thanks for any help, cheers Wolfie
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: bat20 on November 19, 2016, 10:23:45 AM
I found a damaged one and posted it here,it's early Chinese an very collect able,although I think there are a few who believe them to be bohemian.
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: SophieB on November 19, 2016, 11:32:28 AM
Hi,

I also believe it is old Chinese. Hopefully, Alan T. will see this post. In the meantime have a look at his website, he has a page on Chinese weights including some old ones:

http://www.pwts.co.uk/pages/Chinese%20older%20paperweights.htm

SophieB
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: WhatHo! on November 19, 2016, 11:58:03 AM
Thanks everyone, the canes look better quality than the average Chinese weight I know, maybe that's why some think they are not Chinese? :)
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: tropdevin on November 19, 2016, 01:26:53 PM
***

I agree - Chinese.  The left hand side top two in the image below are fairly similar The canes are better than average...but some have to be, unless all are the same :-)

I know that these have occasionally been called Bohemian in the past, but all the characteristics are much more like Chinese pieces than Bohemian - and they never turn up in central Europe.

Alan
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: paperweights on November 19, 2016, 09:56:41 PM
Not everyone agrees.  I believe this style is not Chinese but most likely originated in Europe.  No definitive proof has been offered either way. 
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: WhatHo! on November 20, 2016, 02:22:50 PM
I had a felling there might be mixed views on this paperweight.
What date are early Chinese paperweights from?
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: Fuhrman Glass on November 20, 2016, 05:23:04 PM
Most of the Chinese weights have milli that have 6 lobes in the center or other sections. This weight has everything produced with 5 lobes/star, that may indicate that it has a different origin.
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: tropdevin on November 21, 2016, 01:48:24 PM
***

Hi.  I believe that these early Chinese paperweights were made in the 1900 to 1930 period.  I think the 'five lobe' rather than 'six lobe' may represent a different factory in China, rather than a different country of origin.  The profile of these pieces and the glass are quite unlike any known 'Bohemian'* pieces, and quite like later Chinese ones. That is not proof, I realise, but I think it is a strong indicator.

* Bohemian.  This word seems to get used very loosely  (especially in the US)  to mean anything from Central / Northern Europe that is not French, Italian or Belgian.  So items from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Thuringia, Austria and elsewhere can all end up being called 'Bohemian'.
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: paperweights on November 21, 2016, 11:13:44 PM
Again, I disagree.  The glass is unlike that found in Chinese paperweights of the period.  It is clear glass and does not attract moisture, contrasted with the the high soda ash glass that causes the Chinese paperweights to develop an oily feel.  The circular base is ground flat, not fire finished.  We don't know where these paperweights come from and it may very well be an unknown European factory or even an unknown American factory.
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: bat20 on November 22, 2016, 10:33:50 PM
Well hopefully one day there will be some definitive proof,meanwhile to my eye they looks as Chinese as Peking duck.
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: Gowdod on November 23, 2016, 05:45:14 PM
Dear All,

for my two penneth these are Chinese and may I say rather nice too.  Here's one with a complex cane. What a shame they stopped building on this potential base.

Kind Regards

Andrew
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: Gowdod on November 23, 2016, 07:03:32 PM
Dear All,

some typical paperweights that I would consider Bohemian.

Their weight, clarity and millefiori construct are quite different to my Chinese piece's...and to be blunt,the Chinese one's do not have the same refinement. Though when I find Chinese one's, similar to your's, as I see them,  I snaffle them up.  :-)

If you have examples of others that point in either direction please post away as we'll all be happy to see them. Tx

My thanks to Peter von Brackel and Ian Cummins for their insights. Top class.

With kind regards

Andrew
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: tropdevin on November 23, 2016, 10:19:58 PM
***

I agree that those are not Chinese: to me, they are from Thuringia / Lauscha / perhaps Silesia.  Not strictly Bohemian - more German - but it depends how tight your definition of Bohemian is!  Somewhere I have an image of a paperweight with very similar canes and a plaque that says 'Gruss von Lauscha'.

Alan
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: daveweight on November 24, 2016, 12:13:04 PM
Hi Wolfie
There is a paperweight virtually the same of your which has just been listed on Ebay item 272459370493 with an opening price of just 88p !
Dave
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: WhatHo! on November 25, 2016, 10:10:22 AM
Hi Guys, thank you for all your excellent insights these paperweights, very interesting.
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2016, 02:23:00 PM
is this one also from a similar source?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/antique-vintage-glass-paperweight-/322334836214?hash=item4b0ca745f6:g:gb0AAOSwcLxYMgoe
m
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: Lustrousstone on November 27, 2016, 03:45:15 PM
That one's Chinese
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2016, 03:59:47 PM
oh, I am confused then... I thought the OP's weight was Chinese?
Is it not?
m
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: Lustrousstone on November 27, 2016, 07:21:16 PM
I think opinions are divided
Title: Re: small paperweight id pls
Post by: flying free on November 27, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
ah,right - I was confused :) thanks