Tag Archives: Handpainted

Update ……….Bohemian (?) Covered Dish – Unknown Provenance – Alexander Pfohl / Josephine Glassworks

03 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Bohemia

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

After writing this I decided to post the photos to the Collectors Weekly site in their ‘Unsolved Mystery’ section.

I was fortunate to receive a couple hints.  One hint led me to make an inquiry to an antiques house called Bonhams.  A glass specialist responded and said:

“This is a lovely piece, and it does indeed look to be the work of Alexander Pfohl Jr from the 1920s. I have been unable to find this exact model in any of my books, but this is very much in the style of Pfohl produced at the Josephine Glassworks in Czechoslovakia. The style in which the rose on the cover is painted is virtually identical to those painted by Pfohl so I have no issue with such an attribution. He usually painted flowers against a black ground, and it is unusual to find engraved decoration in combination with transparentmalerei (transparent enamel painting), so this is an unusual piece.”

I very much appreciated the attribution.  I love this piece and am happy to have some information as to its provenance.

_________________________________________________________________

January 17, 2021

 

This type of piece is not one that I normally would pick up and it was more than I would normally pay for something like this, but when I saw it, I had to have it.

When my husband and I travel to the eastern U.S. we often cross the border at the Thousand Islands Bridge.  We will often stop in Watertown, N.Y for a night, coming or going and if we do we visit the Old Jail Antiques shop.  This is a pretty unique store as it really does have old cells crammed full of stuff.  The shop isn’t your typical well-organized, dust-free location, but they have interesting items, good prices and the proprietor is willing to bargain.

In any event I came across this piece in a crowded cabinet and set my husband to bargaining (a favourite task of his).

I have had this covered dish/jar (a candy?) for quite a number of years and have never been able to identify it.

It has beautiful hand painted details. lots of gilt and a very pretty engraving/cutting.  It stands 4 7/8 inches to the sides and about 8 inches to the top of the finial when the lid is on. The base has a diameter of 3 inches and the jar’s opening is 3 1/8 inches in diameter.

I would love to know more about this piece.  If anyone has any info, please share.

Pink Center Handle Server with Cut Floral Decoration

13 Sunday Nov 2016

Posted by in Cambridge, Unknown

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

pink-center-handle-server3I thought that my handy dandy (which it is) book would help me identify these servers.  It does, but it is still tricky for me.  I thought that this handle corresponded to Central Glass’ line 1435, but then realized that line 1435 is round, not octagonal.

No idea who made this pretty pink platter (had to have the alliteration).  If someone knows, then please advise!  I love the way the leaves reflect on the white surface in the sunshine.pink-center-handle-server

 

 

 

 

 

——————————————————————————————

August 28, 2016

Blue Enamel Centre Handle Server (1)I have no idea why these servers appeal to me.  I have rarely used one, but when I do, it looks fabulous on the table.

I have had this one sitting around for a bit – can’t recall where I got it.

On our recent trip to the U.S.A. I was able to visit the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia.  Such a treat.  There is an amazing array of beautiful glass on display from a variety of eras and from a large variety of companies.  Everything is beautifully displayed.  The volunteers staffing the Museum were so friendly and eager to showcase the Museum.  We had a change to look in the storage area and there is a large number of items awaiting inventorying.  I highly recommend a visit!

I of course visited the gift shop.  Surprisingly I did not buy any glass, but I did buy two of their monographs.  I was happy to find “A Guide to identification of Glass Center Handle Servers: monograph number 67″ by Inez J. Austin.  I hoped that I would find some clues to some of the pieces that I have that I have not yet identified.

In this monograph there is a photo of a handle that is identified as Cambridge 827, 829.  This handle and the little bit of the photo of the enamelled server look like this one, although I do not know for sure.

In any event…this piece is pretty……buy this book if you have an interest in center handle server identification…..and visit the Museum.

Central Glass Works’ Black and Gold Center Handle Server

09 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by in Central

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , ,

black-and-gold-server-3My guy and I went on a rural ramble last weekend.  I picked up some odds and sods, some to be shown here eventually, including this server.  Pretty black with gold details.

My book appears to indicate that this is a piece by Central Glass.  The handle is described as a “Vee”.  The author says that the defining features are two balls on each side – one facing inward and one outward and peak on top of the domed bar.

I can’t figure out if the balls are facing in and out ward, but everything matches the photo so I am sticking with the Central Glass provenance.

Some day I am actually going to use one of these servers!