Topic: ID Help requested - Old English?

[paperweights]

Purchased this at an auction with the feeling that it is unusual, but can't ID it.  Any help will be appreciated.  Seven unusual "fish" canes might be intended to be a silhouette cane.  Is that possible.  And there are two canes that look like a bird flying.

Size:  3 1/4" diameter x 2 1/8" high.  Four small side facets.  Basket not perfectly formed.  Bottom is ground flat.

Larger picture:  http://paperweights.com/paperweights/sa_unk1sm.jpg

Closeup picture:   http://paperweights.com/paperweights/sa_unk1b.jpg

Side view:   http://paperweights.com/paperweights/sa_unk1c.jpg

Bottom view:   http://paperweights.com/paperweights/sa_unk1bot.jpg

[mildawg]

I would say Old English.  I think the fish are Queen's head canes and birds are crosses though.  Sorry I don't have any more to add other than it's a nice weight!

[tropdevin]

***
Interesting piece - and I agree it is Old English.  I also agree that the 'fish' are a female head profile. The same female head profile canes turn up in a range of paperweights (usually, like these, with a thin contrasting colour around the edge, and sometimes filled with clear glass).  Some of these paperweights appear to be Richardson pieces, with the remaining canes typical Richardson. Others seem to be a mix of canes of 'unknown' origin.  I suspect that these were made in the late 19th century using canes made somewhat earlier - but by which factory (or factories) remains a mystery at present!

Alan