posted on October 17, 2000 09:24:43 PM new
It's a compote, most likely white ironstone.
Does it look like it has some age? Check the dry foot -- does it have minute grooves/scratches from contact with the tabletop over many years? Is the clay clean and white, or darkened and soiled?
posted on October 17, 2000 09:44:53 PM new
It does have some scratches but not much, in looking at it with a loop I found it did have some red markings but all I can make of it is a “139” and I am not sure about that. If it is any help, when tapping your fingernail on the piece it sounds like a high pitched bell, also on the inside of the base where it has not been glazed it has a rough texture.
posted on October 17, 2000 10:17:13 PM new
New pieces almost always have a sparkling white dry foot. If yours is darkened and brownish, it probably is old. (Unless intentionally aged, which is usually pretty easy to discern.) Is there any crazing/glaze pops or skips? Old ironstone normally has some glaze irregularities and/or discoloration.
When you list it, make sure to include the search words "white ironstone compote" in your title. If you determine that it's old, include that fact also. I'd venture it'll go in the $100+ range, assuming it's old. New=$20.
posted on October 17, 2000 10:30:43 PM new
Thanks for the help fountainhouse, I think this is going to be a new piece, although every other piece I have pulled out of this lot has been old. Most early Frankoma and pressed glass.
Thanks again
Chuck
posted on October 18, 2000 06:52:32 AM new
Does Ironstone have that shiny of a glaze? It's not usually that "white" either, and I don't think I've ever seen a piece of Ironstone with that kind of flutty detail.
Not sure what it "is", but I'm pretty sure what it "isn't".
It sure is pretty though, I love white items like this.
posted on October 18, 2000 07:11:16 AM new
I don't know who made this compote, but it is so beautiful. It has such elegance. You can almost see it flowing in slow motion. So artsy.
posted on October 18, 2000 09:38:40 AM new
I know what a compote looks like, but what is it for? I mean, is it made to hold a specific thing, or what? Thanks,
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on October 18, 2000 02:58:00 PM new
Hi, not to be a troublemaker -- but if it is ironstone, pottery, porcelain or china it is NOT glass! We glass collectors are really picky about that. Just telling you so you don't make that mistake in your auction. It is a gorgeous piece! (But is not glass.)
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
posted on October 18, 2000 05:56:57 PM new
Glass? No, more than likely a piece of pottery/porcelain from Italy. Seems I saw something similar in a Lillian Vernon catalog recently.
Simplistically,(sorry if there is no such word?)- glass is melted sand. Porcelain or pottery is melted clay.
Interesting sidenote, a comport (old version), or a compote, is a footed or stemmed bowl. I am sure that this is more than you wanted to know?
posted on October 18, 2000 06:59:45 PM new
Thanks glassperson
This is more than likely porcelain, as to the age, I know it has set in a closed house for the last fifteen years. I think I will list it as “porcelain compote, unsure of the age” and let go at that.
Just telling you so you don't make that mistake in your auction. It is a gorgeous piece! (But is not glass.)