Posts Tagged ‘American’

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American pressed glass goblet, c.1855

Friday, March 12th, 2010

A geometric pattern flint glass goblet in the “Excelsior” pattern, measures 5-3/4″ high and was made by McKee Bros. of Pittsburgh, PA.

The original glass base was replaced with this most unusual 4-prong painted wood base, one of the more whimsical replacement bases I have ever seen.

The broken stem of the goblet can be seen on the underside.

Below is an intact “Excelsior” goblet with an offset-flute stem base. This is what my goblet would have looked like before its replaced inventive repair base was added .

Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin

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American Rockingham jug, c.1870

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Also known as Bennington pottery, this yellow ware pottery pitcher has a lustrous manganese brown glaze. American Rockingham, made in Bennington, Vermont in the 19th century, is named for the Marquis of Rockingham, whose works produced a ware of similar color in England.

Jug measures 7-1/2″ high and has a replaced brass handle and straps, most likely made by an itinerant brazier. The unusual choice of brass compliments the warm glaze tones.

Similar jug showing what the handle on my jug might have looked like.

Photo courtesy of Ruby Lane

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Etched glass celery vase, c.1885

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Every fashionable American household in mid to late 19th century had an Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) celery vase in use on their dining table. It was the perfect vessel to keep celery and carrot sticks upright and immersed in cold water.

This wonderful example has the highly detailed “Deer and Dog” pattern etched on to the glass surface.

Vase measures 9-1/2″ high.

The other side of the vase reveals the image of running deer.

Thoughtfully made silvered metal replacement base follows the scale and lines of the original.

This example with etched fern pattern maintains its original glass base.

Photo courtesy of Crescent City Auction Gallery

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Flint glass candlestick, c.1870

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

One of my favorite antiques with inventive repairs illustrates the incongruence of materials and the immediate need to mend a broken item. When this elegant American flint glass candlestick snapped off at the base, it was attached to a simple 3-1/2″ solid block of mahogany.

Candlestick with replaced wood base measures 12-1/2” high.

A similar flint glass candlestick, showing a standard round base.

Photo courtesy of eBay

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Cast iron horse drawn ladder wagon, c.1900

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

A small cast iron fragment is all that remains of an elaborate miniature horse drawn ladder wagon. Someone loved their toy almost “to death” and I am grateful to whoever nailed the remains to a scrap of wood, breathing new life in to their cherished plaything.

Cast iron toys were extremely popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as they were easy to mass produce. Durable as they were, cast iron was still likely to snap if misused.

A single bent nail holds the 8-1/2″ long American toy upright. This has got to be one of the most poignant toys with inventive repairs I have ever seen and I am amazed that it survived over one hundred years.

Intact wagon, shown in all of its splendor, with horses, firemen and removable ladders. The back end & wheels are all that remains of my extraordinary “make-do” toy.

Photo courtesy of Live Auctioneers

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