Topic: Large lattice glass basket help please.

[brucebanner]

Hello there, here is another i need some help with. I have had a good look around on the internet and in my books and only found a couple either listed as American glass or Georgian glass, this bit has lots of inclusions, (there are three in the handle), wear to the tips of the base and a snapped pontil that has been partially ground down.

You can see scratches to the inner base which is a round disk measuring 1 3/4 inches across. Its heavy and measures 8 3/4 inches in width 6 inches in height and 3 1/4 inches across the base.

Regards Chris.

[Paul S.]

hello Chris  -  I remember that we discussed these things some two or three years back, but now can't find the link.

As an artistic invention these things apparently go back a long way - certainly the late C17 is quoted by Felice Mehlman ('The Illustrated Guide To Glass)  -  originated (probably) in Venice where it was described as 'traforato' (perforated), where the workers were accomplished 'at manipulating highly ductile glass' - other sources also quoted as Liege and southern Spain.
In the U.K. they appeared around the Regency time (c. 1725), and a little later you see them sometimes hanging as small trellis type baskets on epergnes being used for sweetmeats etc., on the table.
They were copied in the C19 by some of the big names in both Europe and the States - some apparently in uranium/vaseline.
Pieces with handles are more likely to be decorative, but could be used for fruit, cake, bread and sweetmeats.

If you have inclusions/seeds or whatever, plus wear, then this might suggest yours has substantial age.

None of which helps you with this one, but might encourage others who may know more to look in.

[flying free]

That's pretty and it looks an old piece to me ... but no idea how old.
I've a few pieces like this including a very old 18th century set
I posted some information and links on here
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,55281.msg313313.html#msg313313
and
on a thread titled Traforato Barovier I think.  I'll try and find it for you.
edited - here's some links to Steuben bowls which are interesting
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,54884.msg311397.html#msg311397
Both threads have lots of links on to investigate further.
I'll have a look through books later for you.
m

[brucebanner]

Thanks for your help guys and the links.