Skip to main content

A Jadeite Basket Mystery


Dear David,

I have a piece of vintage glassware in my possession that I've been trying to do some research on.  It is unmarked, however at this point I think it is likely Fenton.  It is possible that it may be a rare Chalet piece.  I don't know that Chalet ever made any jadeite pieces though.  Can you help?

Truman J.

Truman, after doing some quick research on jadeite baskets, I've come discover that several glassworks created jadeite baskets for the home during the 20th century.  These included, Fenton, Mosser, L.E. Smith in the United States and Stevens & Williams Glass in the United Kingdom.  

Not being familiar with glass baskets myself, I asked several collector friends of mine what they thought.  I also turned to a Facebook forum on identifying antiques to see what people had to say about your basket.  

As it turns out there wasn't one definitive answer from anyone.  Without any markings on the basket, it has become somewhat of a mystery as to the maker of this exquisite piece of glass.  What everyone did agree on, Truman, is that you have a beautiful glass basket.

These three photographs taken by Truman show the different angles.  It's a stunning piece of glass that can grace any table quite elegantly!

Stevens and Williams Glass Basket
This is the only example of a jadeite basket attributed to Stevens and Williams from the U.K. that I came across.  I love the combination of the milky white handle against the opaline green bowl.

L.E. Smith Jadeite
Here we have an example of a hobnail glass basket in jadeite by L.E. Smith Glass.
Fenton Glass
One example of a Fenton Glass basket shows how thick the glass can be from this American glassworks and how dense the color saturation.  For more on Fenton Glass, click here: Fenton Art Glass.

If you are ever curious as to who made your Fenton Glass basket, every piece has their maker's mark on the base of the handle where it attaches to the bowl.  These are the marks of the artists who worked at Fenton.



Chalet Cranberry Glass
Although this basket isn't jadeite, the handle of the Chalet basket (notice the Chalet sticker) is very much like the one on Truman's basket.  Look closely at the bowl of the basket.  Can you see the lattice pattern that goes around the outside base of the bowl?  That pattern is very similar to the one on the jadeite basket below.

So, it is possible that the basket in question is indeed from Chalet Glass manufactured in Canada.


The bottom of the basket shows a definite pontil mark.  


Since I cannot solve this mystery, I'm going to leave it to you, the reader, to help us get some answers if at all possible.  Truman has written to some individuals to see what they had to say about his basket, so when he gets back to me, I will update you.  In the meantime, enjoy collecting!

Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 23, 2017 at 6:48 PM

    Although this basket looks very similar to Chalet, I'm unaware of any jadeite made by them. A former employee of Chalet, Angelo Rossi, bought much of Chalet's equipment after their closure. He also produces other jadeite glass pieces as well from his shop (still currently operating) in Niagara Falls. Although not 100% identified, I strongly suspect he may be the maker.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Things by DavidMarch 23, 2017 at 7:24 PM

      Great information! Thank you!!

      Delete
    2. UnknownFebruary 12, 2022 at 10:52 AM

      Years later - I have the basket with a label - can confirm it is Rossi Glass - Canada.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank You for Posting!

Popular posts from this blog

Antique Salt Cellars

There was a time when salt cellars played an important role on the dining table for the host or hostess.  As a result of it being such an expensive commodity several hundred years ago, salt was seen as a luxury and it was the well to do that made salt cellars quite fashionable & a status symbol for the home.  A single salt cellar usually sat at the head of the table and was passed around throughout the meal.  The closer one sat to the salt cellar, the more important one was deemed by the head of the household.  Smaller cellars that were more accessible and with an open top became a part of Victorian table settings.  Fast forward to the 20th century when salt was no longer a luxury and when anti caking agents were added to make salt free-flowing, and one begins to see salt cellars fall out of fashion.  Luckily for the collector and for those of us who like to set a table with Good Things , this can prove to be a boon. Salt cellars for the table come in silver, porcelain, cut glass
50 comments
Read more

Collecting Jadeite

With its origins dating back to the 1930s, jadeite glassware began its mass production through the McKee Glass Co. in Pennsylvania. Their introduction of the Skokie green & Jade kitchenware lines ushered in our fascination with this jade color.  Glassmakers catered jadeite to the American public as an inexpensive alternative to earthenware soon after the Depression, both for the home and for its use in restaurants.  The Jeanette Glass Company and Anchor Hocking introduced their own patterns and styles, which for many collectors, produced some of the most sought after pieces.  Companies marketed this beautiful glass under the monikers of jadite , jadeite , jade glass , jad-ite , jade-ite , so however you want to spell it, let it draw you in for a closer look.  If you want a thorough history of the origins of jadeite, collectors’ pricing, patterns & shapes (don’t forget the reproductions in 2000), I highly suggest picking up the book by Joe Keller & David Ross called, Jadei
48 comments
Read more

A Tour of Turkey Hill with Martha Stewart and Friends

Martha Stewart led an intimate tour of her former Westport, Connecticut home and gardens for a few of my friends this past weekend.  From the photographs I've seen of that special day, it was an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime by those who were in attendance.  As much as I regret not going to this momentous occasion, my friends were kind enough to allow me to share their amazing photographs here on the blog. Let's take a tour of Turkey Hill with Martha Stewart and a few of my friends. Without the kindness of Jeffrey Reed, Dennis Landon, Darrin David, Anthony Picozzi and Colin Eastland, this post would not be possible.  It must also be stated that the fundraising event was graciously hosted by the current owners of Turkey Hill, the Bergs. Many thanks to the Berg family for opening up the property. Turkey Hill is the Federal style home that was purchased, renovated and landscaped by Martha Stewart and her then husband, Andy, back in 1970.  It was he
17 comments
Read more