Topic: Pair of antique? possibly hand blown and stretched mantle vases?

[dorian_graye]

These are a little outside my comfort zone, but I found them for a cheap price thinking that they may be pretty old.  They both appear to be hand blown because of the varying shapes of the glass, but they are mold blown as well?  The glass of each also appears to be slightly different in color or tone.  One of the bases has a ground rim and many scratches from being moved around, while the other is not ground and appears to have no scratches on the base.  Both have significant water staining inside.  Any ideas on date of creation?  Please let me know if more information or photos are needed.  I think that clear glass like this is better photographed on a darker background. If that would help, let me know and I'll see what I can come up with.  Thanks!!!

[Lustrousstone]

Yes, they are hand blown into a mould and then shaped. The base has been formed with another mould. The colour difference is probably because one has been in sunlight for many years - it looks like light sun purpling, or gray in this case. I bet that the one with many scratches.

[dorian_graye]

Oh, that's interesting. I didn't know that the sun could have that effect on glass. Thanks, Christine.

[snesbit]

I see these quite frequently in the states in early 20th century store display cases.

While many of the cases were fitted with wire shelf supports, others used this type of uniform "vase" to hold plate glass shelving within the unit.  That may explain the contact wear on the end surfaces.

When we had a storefront we refurbished a number of late Victorian (c. 1910) oak display cases and these seemed to be off the period.

I imagine there were produced by any number of American and European glass factories for the trade.

Sorry, no more specific attribution.

[Cathy B]

How long with these have been made? Crown Crystal (Australia) made similar display shelf supports in the 1930s.

[jsmeasell]

I agree that these are likely to be shelf supports. I am familiar with such supports made by the New Martinsville Glass Mfg. Co. in the 1920s-30s. I suspect that these are really pressed pieces, not mould blown or free blown (offhand). Note the regularity of the ribs on the exterior and the pattern on the underside of the foot. Perhaps you can find joint marks?   

[dorian_graye]

Thanks for all of your responses.  I wasn't aware there was such a thing.  If someone were to look for images of these being used as shelf supports, what type of keywords might one use?  My curiosity is piqued.