Topic: Antique English glass wall sconces with glass back plates..... any thoughts ??

[ian the sculptor]

This is one of a pair of antique glass wall sconces I have (ignore the modern screws and black rubber protectors) which I picked up in the summer. I'm puzzled by the glass back plates which I've not seen before, but then, I'm not an expert in this type of glass, I just like these old hand-made pieces.
Was this a common feature, and is there any way of identifying where they might have been made?
They are missing the drops from the stems but these will be replaced when I find some suitable. I assume they would have been flattened pear-shaped ones.
Any thoughts welcomed.
Thanks,
Ian.

[Paul S.]

don't think I can offer anything really useful.    If the construction appears to show that they remain adapted for candles only, then they probably date from prior to c.1860, which seems to be a rough date for the introduction of domestic coal gas lighting.  However, if the arms are hollow, then maybe that is some indication that they were intended for gas in some way.    Since they need to have a stable attachment to the wall they an attractive back plate seems as good as anything I suppose, and drops can be acquired quite easily from specialist suppliers, although they'd be repro I guess.       Wilkinson's book 'The Hallmarks of Antique Glass', does have a section on candelabra and wall fittings, but unfortunately doesn't show a sconce like yours, although does give a photograph of a really good selection of drops (although not much good unless you have at least one original example for comparison)  -  and I guess you don't have the book anyway.        This design seems to give a candle flame that is too far from the lustres to get that really good sparkle.
Are there stones in the glass, and is the colour decidedly not bright and clear?

Bottom line is that you probably need a specialist.

[ian the sculptor]

That's interesting, Paul, and has made me look at these in a new light (no pun intended).
Why I found the back plates a puzzle was that being clear glass the screws are clearly seen and it's not exactly an ideal way to secure the sconces. Normal sconces would have had a decorative metal back plate which the arm would have sat in.
These arms are hollow and, having taken one off the wall, I can see this goes through to the backplate, suggesting the arms and backplate are blown in one. There is an applied knop around the base of the arm where it meet the backplate which I assume provided strength. The glass tube which the candle sits in is smooth and there is no sign of anywhere for a gas or electric fitting to be secured, but the plaster where the candle holder is secure to the arm (hidden by the gilding) has a small hole roughly poked through it which looks much more recent and not original - perhaps someone has tried to convert them to electric.
As to the missing drops, I see your point about them being impractical so I guess they were mere decoration.

The glass is clean and clear with just the usual striations and odd bubble .
Thanks for your thoughts. Perhaps there are some specialists out there who may offer theirs too.
Ian