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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Scott13 on September 22, 2017, 06:43:18 AM

Title: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: Scott13 on September 22, 2017, 06:43:18 AM

Hi,
Do you think this is a WW mother-of- pearl piece?

Ht 12cm. ( 5” )
Diam 18cm. ( 7” )
Wt 765gm

Iridescence throughput. There are also some dark patches - not sure whether these are on the surface or within the glass.

Not sure also whether it’s meant to be a bowl,vase or pot holder.

Looks pretty old - quite a lot of wear on the base.

Any help appreciated - thanks for looking  :)

Scott
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: Scott13 on September 22, 2017, 12:39:36 PM

Hi,
Think I’ve found it - thanks Keith  :)
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,49430.msg278768.html#msg278768

Any idea what the black discolouration is ?

Scott
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: keith on September 22, 2017, 02:37:51 PM
No idea I presume you've given it a good wash ?  ::) ;D maybe it supposed to be that colour, not seen one like it before  ;D
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: Scott13 on September 22, 2017, 03:07:08 PM

Yes, it’s had a good wash - soapy water and sponge   ::)  ;D
I’ve had another look and I think it might be connected to the iridescence— but I’m not sure.
Whatever it is I daren’t use an abrasive —anyway it gives it character.
I reckon I’ll have a few blemishes when/if I reach its age  ;D
Nice piece of glass though.

Scott
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: glassobsessed on September 22, 2017, 03:29:54 PM
Some old items can be covered in a layer of soot presumably from long exposure to open fires, candles and the like. It can be particularly hard to get out of difficult to reach places but nail varnish remover often works when soap and water does not. I think I have seen similar before, perhaps the grey tarnish is a result of something going awry during manufacture.

John
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: marcus on September 22, 2017, 05:16:07 PM
I've often used Denture Cleaning tablets dissolved in warm water (never too hot) to remove unsightly marks from glass. This method has also worked wonders to remove water-stains inside a vase for example. Two or three tablets usually do the trick and can also be repeated if need be. Just a thought!
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: keith on September 22, 2017, 05:39:53 PM
These Walsh pieces have a very fine 'crackle' finish I suppose years of soot, smoke etc... would become ingrained, yours looks more intentional than accidental  ;D Hello John how did you do at Malvern ?
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: Scott13 on September 22, 2017, 05:41:11 PM
Hi John,
I can see now that the pattern of discolouration on its inner surface matches the pattern of iridescence on its outer surface  - however only roughly half the vase has been affected this way.
Which now makes me think that either one side of the vase must have been subjected to a high temperature over a prolonged period - perhaps resulting in some sort of chemical reaction or as you suggested things might have gone awry during production.
Perhaps they only got it half right  ;D

It doesn’t really bother me - I was just being curious.
In fact I like to see an acquired patina on old things.
I keep telling myself that, but unfortunately not very convincingly  ::)

Scott
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: glassobsessed on September 22, 2017, 06:15:13 PM
People keep mentioning denture tablets for cleaning and I have never tried them for some reason, note to self...

Enjoyed the day out Keith, bought a nice retro chest of drawers and an Ercol coffee table, both in need of restoration. ;)  Some glass too, a Loetz Tree Trunk vase and this unknown carafe: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,65575.0.html
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: Scott13 on September 22, 2017, 06:52:58 PM

Hi,
Never noticed the crackle Keith..............
I’ll think about using denture cleaning tablets Marcus - I’ve got a tube somewhere.
I’ve found them pretty good for removing surface dirt/debris but I think my vase’s discolouration could be more deep seated—but you never know until you try.
I’m not a risk taker when it comes to glass  ??? but thanks for your thought.

Nice carafe John.

Scott
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: marcus on September 25, 2017, 09:02:09 PM
Scott - As far as I'm aware, there is no risk involved at all with using the tablets. They seem to be a 'gentle' method of removing grime & particularly lime-scale/water-marks inside of vases and decanters for example. The true beauty of using them, is that they can be simply used to do their thing overnight, and provided you only use hot water (appropriately temperature to suit to the glass piece itself) then all is well! It is a relatively low cost method too, whilst also not being labour intensive... Give it a go! You may be pleasantly surprised with the results. I've even used them on delicate free-blown Victorian vases without causing any detriment. I guess that if they are good enough for teeth, then they are good enough for glass too! They work wonders inside glass vacuum flasks, removing unpleasant odours whilst also disinfecting them cleanly and safely. 
Title: Re: Walsh Walsh—Mother of Pearl ?
Post by: Scott13 on September 26, 2017, 10:09:50 AM

Hi, still dithering !
Thanks for your reassurances.
Actually I’ve got used to the dark patches - they seem to give the iridescent bits a richer tone.
I’ll say anything to avoid taking action  ;D

Seriously, I will try the tablets — eventually !
Thanks

Scott