STERLING 11 - no makers mark - rock crystal claret jug

[charles-edwards]

hi there
i´ve got a nice rock crystal claret jug - the only hallmarks are STERLING 11 - no other marks - think around 1910 - who could be the maker . ? help is much appreciated !!
many many thx , CE

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[salmoned]

I'm wondering why you believe this to be rock crystal and not glass or fused quartz.

[dragonflywink]

Suspect Charles-Edwards is using the fairly common "Rock crystal" term for a type of polished cutting and engraving on glass blanks. Feel sure that the silver mount is American (believe I have a piece somewhere marked similarly), but without a trademark, unless you can find a marked piece with the same decoration, will probably remain unknown. If I recall correctly, a few of the glass companies supposedly produced their own mounts, and some of the silver companies had glass divisions. American brilliant cut glass can be truly spectacular, but personally find the rock crystal pieces more appealing - love the griffins/dragons on this one. Will trust your estimate of age as claret jugs are your area, and the engraved pieces did become more popular a few years into the 20th century, but wouldn't be surprised if this piece were a bit earlier, there were some American cutting companies doing nice work in the 1890s (also the possibility that the glass is English or Bohemian). A good number of the cutting companies signed their work, did you look for a small acid-etched mark on the base? My first thought was Sinclaire or Hawkes, but someone with real knowledge of American glass would no doubt be much more helpful than I could ever be. Do have a few old references with silver-mounted glassware, will dig them out and see if anything turns up.....

~Cheryl

[salmoned]

Ah, thanks. I never understand why fallacious terms are used, especially when there are decanters and vases actually carved from real rock crystal.

[charles-edwards]

dear cheryl

many thx for your reply - i think i forgot the word " glass " - of course it is rock crystal glass and not real rock crystal - i talked to my friend charles hajdamach ( expert in glass living in England ) - he said it could be american or english as well - but the fact that is has got american " sterling " mark on it and this Nr 11 - indicates that is indeed american !
actually i would say it is a kind of " intaglio " cut glass - rock crystal glass is slightly different - but that would be an endless discussion:-) .. anyway . i think you are right when you say - that some glass manufactureres had their own silversmith .. i thought because of the special style of the handle it would be possible to find out the silver company .. ! and i am not sure about the age - it could be 1890 or 1900 as well - very hard to say !!