Victorian Sulphide Glass Dump c1880

Description

Heading : Victorian Sulphide Glass Dump
Date : c1880
Period : Victoria
Origin : Yorkshire bottle glass factories. England
Colour : Green
Body : Domed and waisted form. Nine encased flowers in a three tier formation. The stems emerge from a pot
Base : Snapped pontil
Size : Height 14cm
Condition : Excellent. no chips or dents.
Restoration : None
Weight : 1700 grams

One of the finer examples we have seen

Additional Information :In the 19th century and into the early 20th century prior to bottle plant automation these were made in large numbers

Paperweights and doorstops are often referred to as “dumps” are said to be a means of using up molten glass at the end of a shift. To claim that all are ‘end of day’ items simply doesn’t pass the common sense test. Too many are beautifully decorated not to have been items intentionally produced for sale,  a product line. Admittedly many are made from green bottle glass marked with the names of many a Yorkshire and North east factory and will have been end of day items. Some have ground and polished bases and it seems unlikely that a simple end of day item would merit the effort.

This peice was produced via the addition of metallic powder or foil or clay to the glass which acted as condensation centres for dissolved gas. This must have required skill and time, the former was certainly available but time is not abundant at the ‘end of the day’. we all want to go home.