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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Novasonic on December 04, 2022, 07:59:42 AM

Title: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: Novasonic on December 04, 2022, 07:59:42 AM

Hi everyone, 

I recently came across this lovely blue opal vaseline posy vase with a pontil scar on the base.  My original assumption was James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) from late 19th century early 20th Century - but not sure (no polished pontil, just a scar).  It has a ribbed body.

8.5cm high x 5.5cm rim diameter

Any help / support much appreciated !

Many Thanks

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: Lustrousstone on December 04, 2022, 10:01:18 AM

It's not Powell (or vaseline, as that's usually reserved for uranium glass) with that pontil scar and the colour doesn't seem quite right for blue opal. It might be Walsh Walsh but probably English might be as good as it gets

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: Novasonic on December 04, 2022, 04:44:52 PM

Ok thanks very much ! :)

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: cagney on December 04, 2022, 07:12:13 PM

  Curious as to why the pontil scar a problem?
Of the 4 pieces pictured all have a rough pontil scar. Granted the are all round and"neatly" snapped off. The two vases with thrown wavy rims are classic Powell. 100% sure Powell.
The striped fan vase correlates very well with a shape pictured in the Art Journal c.1890. Page 11, fig19 in Jacksons book, also page 154 fig. 243 [ although the shape of the stem is un-discernable in the photo]. 99% sure Powell.
The small dish with rope stem and ribbed foot 80-90% sure Powell. The bowl of this dish has the same green tint as the foot on the fan vase.

Pontils pictured are fan vase, thrown vases, dish, in that order. top to bottom

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: cagney on December 04, 2022, 07:14:36 PM

Last photo wrong, here is correct photo.

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: cagney on December 05, 2022, 10:40:34 PM

  Upon further thought there is a simple answer to my own question. All the pieces I have shown the pontil cannot be seen unless turned over. With Novasonics vase most probably not the case.Whitefriars  standards at the time would most likely call for a polished pontil.

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: glassobsessed on December 06, 2022, 08:56:50 AM

Except with thinly blown items where there simply is not the depth of metal to polish out any scar (all of the items shown I expect).

John

Title: Re: Blue Opal Posy Vase - Powell or Walsh Walsh etc ?
Post by: Novasonic on December 08, 2022, 06:26:40 PM

Thanks - I haven't handled much of this type of glass but I know that Powell's was often finely finished and made the assumption that it should have a pontil.

Always learning !