Archive for the ‘decanter/ewer’ Category

Stapled crystal decanter, c.1830

Sunday, March 13th, 2016

This cut crystal spirit decanter has panel cut shoulders, a single neck ring and a splayed top. It appears to be late Georgian, made in Ireland or England. It measures 8-1/2 inches high and is missing its mushroom form stopper.

Although it is not unusual to find cracked porcelain repairs with metal staples, glassware repaired in the same manner is less common. These metal staples made of thin wire repair a vertical crack on both sides, giving it the appearance of a laced corset.

This decanter with similar form has its original stopper but is without staple repairs. Guess which one I prefer?

https://www.1stdibs.com

Photo courtesy of 1stdibs

Etched glass champagne jug, c.1880

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

English blown glass champagne jug with intricately etched decoration made for the American market, with applied handle and cut glass base. Once this fragile jug was dropped, it was destined to live out the rest of its life on a shelf, for display purposes only

Small iron staples were carefully attached to both sides of the pig’s tail shaped crack to stabilize the break

Ewer stands 11-1/4″ tall

A skillful engraver etched the design of a lion attacking a bird of prey, possibly a coat of arms for a distinguished family

The other side of the ewer reveals a more conventional foliage pattern

“Naomi” salt glaze ewer, c.1847

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Parian salt glaze ewer with molded relief biblical design marked on the bottom: “Naomi and Her Daughters-in-Law”, made in the mid-1800’s by Samuel Alcock in Staffordshire, England.

Ewer measures 9-1/2″ tall and has an intricately fashioned network of metal straps and wire.

The large metal replacement handle stands in for the long gone original ceramic handle.

A lavender ewer showing the original, more ornate handle.

Photo courtesy of Monique’s Glass Boutique

Chinese export miniatures, c.1690

Friday, March 12th, 2010

A pair of Chinese export porcelain dollhouse miniatures with blue underglaze decoration from the Kangxi period (1662-1722) with Dutch hallmarked silver mounts from the mid-1800’s.

Once the neck broke off this vase, it became a ewer, standing 2″ high with its replacement handle and spout.

A tiny Dutch hallmark in the shape of a sword can be seen on the bottom of the replaced silver neck. Between the years 1814 and 1905, sword marks were used on pieces too small to accommodate full hallmarks.

The remains of the broken porcelain vase’s neck are obscured by the silver replacement top but can still be seen looking down through the opening.

The other broken vase became a bottle, standing a mere 1″ high.

The broken top was masked by the addition of a beautifully engraved silver cap, with scalloped edge and stippled decoration.

Miniatures such as these were displayed in doll houses owned by wealthy individuals and were not intended to be played with by children.

This is what the miniatures looked like before they became damaged and their appearances altered.

Photo courtesy of China de Commande

French Delft ewer, c.1690

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

A French red body tin glazed earthenware ewer in traditional blue & white Delft decoration. Made for export, most likely for the Persian market.

I found this unusual piece in an antique shop in Cold Spring Harbor, NY while working on the film Eat Pray Love as a set decorator.

Elaborate metal mounts with dangling glass “jewels” replace the original ceramic spout, handle and cover.

The metal twisted rope style handle replaces the original long-gone handle, which would have been much simpler in form. It attaches at the bottom of the ewer to the stub of the broken handle.

Decorative multi-color glass beads are wired on to the metal cover and spout.

The ewer has a delicate baluster form and measures 6-1/2” high.

This similarly shaped ewer still sports its original handle and spout, although to me it looks a bit naked without the fanciful adornments found on my ewer.

Photo courtesy of eBay