Ruth Salisbury

Hello,

I have a million and a half books on pattern identification, but there are a couple patterns that I just can't get. Here is another one. This is a plate, more like a tray actually. The head on the handles looks like a Neptune or Poseidon face.

Plate 1 Plate 2

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Ruth,

Does the pattern protrude, or is it indented? It looks to be made with the Crystallograph process. Earl Autenreith wrote two articles on it that were published in the EAPGS News Journal. (Vol 4, #2, 1997 & Vol 11, #4, 2004).

The process was developed by Henry Feurhake, and patented (#219.245) September 1879. The Dithridge Fort Pitt Glass Works advertised in January 1880 "Crystalloid Glass Ware" picturing several patterns with a price list with some of the pieces not pictured (and not identified). The last thing Earl wrote in his first article was "Other patterns of the crystallograph method may exist. Further research may discover other patterns. Be on the lookout!" In his second article the last paragraph summarizes his findings "...the "Crystalloid" design, using the crystallograph process of etching molds, produced a finely detailed desing on the glass product.

This type of glass is the product only of Dithridge & Co. (Fort Pitt Glass Works) for early known patterns, or Riverside Glass Works for all designs. Feurhake Beck, as owners of the patent would likely have taken molds, used at Fort Pitt, with them to Riverside. I have as yet not found evidence to prove the PSYCHE AND CUPID pattern to be either a "Crystalloid" process or a Riverside product, although the pattern design, mythological theme and comparable shape of its products to Riverside/Fort Pitt products, supports the attribution.

The process, for whatever reason - difficulty with working or cleaning the molds, or lack of popularity of the designs - appears to have been short-lived. Any pieces found would have to be considered rare." In short, I think what you have is a previously unidentified piece of this glass.

Hope this helps.

Kat

Hi Kat!!

The pattern is very fine, and it protrudes the glass - is raised and is definitely not etched. It is well defined and can reallllly be felt. However, the pattern is raised on the underside of the plate rather than the top. The plate has a lot of detail to it and is in good shape. Comparing it to Psyce and Cupid, this piece is much nicer. I have a P&C spooner and the pattern is very undefined... smoothe.. hard to make out. This plate/tray is not like that at all.

thank you!!

Ruth

Ruth,

Have you ever seen the Bread Plate some call VIRGINIA DARE or the footed sauces called CUPID'S HUNT? Your tray looks to have the same sort of design - not the bottom, it's a "normal" mold pattern - the sides where the POSIDON Figure head is. I'm not sure PSYCHE AND CUPID would be considered a good example of the Crystallograph wares.

On the VIRGINIA DARE piece (which is actually DIANA, goddess of the Hunt) if you filled in the background with a spackling compound, all you would see is the top most design and the plate would be smooth. It's very detailed and well defined. The process has a distinctive look to it that isn't found in any other method of making glass.

Kat

Hi Kat,

I have many glass books, but NO WHERE NEAR the number you have. I think I even have the 200 Years of American Blown Glass book you mentioned, I'm going to check and see.

I want to try and look up those patterns, Virginia Dare, Cupid's Hunt, etc... just so I can try to reference what you're speaking of when you say that mine is similar. I'm not sure where to begin, but as you say, the research is half the fun!

Thank you again for your wealth of information!!!

Ruth

PS. I found this information on a website - regarding my bread plate

"we can't ID - Here is a Bread Plate some call Wind God or AEOLIS. We have not been able to find it in the literature. The decor (see enlarged handle) is like crystallography. It is about 11" long and $125. "

Just wanted to pass it along!

Ruth