Featured Glass Ball Pyramid Paperweight

Hi,
I'm hoping to find information on this 4 ball pyramid paperweight. It is 3 1/4"H x 3 1/2" diameter. The last photo shows the top ball, looks like it wasn't smoothed out, the other balls have smooth bases.
I posted on the Glass Message Board and was provided with links of 2 possible makers - Eduard Dressler and Harrach. There was a posting on Collectors Weekly (no longer there) that had a photo of 2 paperweights in clear glass, so far those are the only photos of paperweights I've seen. I've found inkwells and glasses, in clear, iridescent/soap bubble, blue, green and vaseline.
I've also posted on Facebook and someone mentioned Westmoreland Glass Ball Candle holders but the bases and the way the balls are joined together are different so not by them.
Any thoughts or information appreciated.
thanks for looking

 

CX,

I would have said Harrach as well. I fairly certain Dressler was an English Department store who imported some Harrach Items, so they couldn't have made it.

The reason I am not going to outright say it is Harrach is the colour. I have only seen the Stacked Ball done in a clear (That Decor is called "Glatt Iris" or "Soap Bubble") that has been attributed to Harrach.

Here is my Harrach Inkwell



You mentioned you have seen paperweights, inkwells and glasses. There is also a vase as well.

The only way to be sure if the coloured examples were indeed Harrach would be to find other examples of Harrach utilizing the colours you mentioned. A Vase in Peach for example.

What glass message board did you post this to?

I'm afraid Harrach isn't my forte and hopefully this is of some help.

 

CX,

I did some poking around this morning and saw the other colours you mentioned. The blue inkwell and the Vaseline piece are most definitely Harrach. So, if they had other colours, why not peach?

The person to ask would be Brian Severn. I'm pretty sure he is a member on the "Art Glass Collectors Group" on Facebook. He has done extensive research on Harrach and might have an answer for you.

I should have mentioned that I have seen a larger Paperweight in the Glatt Iris decor. It might have had 6 balls for the bottom. It was an Ebay auction a couple years back. The seller also had one of the smaller ones along with an ad from Dressler showing the 2 items. I'll check tonight when I get home to see if I snagged a copy of the ad for my records.

 

Thank-you desperate! I love your inkwell The top ball on mine hasn't been smoothed out (last photo) - is yours the same?
I posted on this glass board http://www.glassmessages.com and the Bohemian FB page but will try the Art Collector one later. On the glass message board there is a discussion on who made the inkwells, interesting to read.
I couldn't find much info on Dressler, but I did find this on the Great Glass Co Uk site, so it looks like he made glass and also used other companies blanks. I hope you still have the ad, that would be interesting to see.
I'll update this if I get a response from FB.
I thought I found an inkwell with a different top but now I can't find it. I think it was on Worthpoint so will have to do a better search there. I was thinking that with a different top maybe another maker, but until I find it again it doesn't much matter.
Thanks again!
Dressler, Eduard
Schreibendorf, Germany (1868 - early 20th C)
Also Josefstal, Czechoslovakia. Manufacturer of pressed & hand-blown glassware, & refiner of blanks produced by the Josephinenhütte & other glassworks

 

CX,

The Ad I saw was for a department store. (I think)That is why I thought Dressler was an importer. I hope I saved it. I could be totally wrong LOL

I have seen the inkwell with a different top (I have also seen 2 different sized inkwells)

I'll take a closer look at the top ball on mine and let you know.

 

here is the one I was talking about, so now 3 different tops
http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/84870/c1890-iridised-triple-ball-inkwell-probably-dressler-gablonz/

 

CX,

That is an interesting shape. I took a look last night for the department store ad (or whatever it was LOL) and unfortunately I didnt save it. I forgot to look at the top ball but I'll check it out tonight.

 

I've managed to get hold of an iridescent ball paperweight to do a comparison with - mine is bigger by 1/4" both in height and diameter. The feet on the iridescent one seem to be finished roughly, not sure if that is an indication of anything though. Still not closer to identifying the maker of mine but going by the feet I'd say they aren't made by the same person.

 

CX,

Here is a quick pic of the base of my inkwell. I also checked the top ball and has not been ground down.

 

thanks desperate! your base looks nicely finished compared to the iridescent one I have - I would think different makers?

 

I wouldnt put much into how the base is finished. I think the ground them the best they could to make them sit better of course I could be totally off base with this assumption LOL

 

@desperate_fun I think I'm starting a collection of the ball base pieces, I picked up these 2 vases today. They have some iridescence on the base, not sure if they will have age to them or not.

 

If it helps, I've never come across a department store here called Dressler.

 

@cxgirl

I saw these yesterday (You posted them to Facebook) They are pretty nice. I would look into Harrach for these as well. IIRC they did a bit of crackle glass.

I picked up a Ball Paperweight as well (It will good good with the inkwell)

@Ownedbybear

Thank you for that tidbit. I wonder if I have the name wrong.

 

thanks desperate and bear

You have the name correct.

bear, here is the information on Dressler from the Great Glass Co UK website - his business was in Germany, I'm not sure if Dressler operated a store - to add to the confusion I came across a post on another site that had a part of a page from Silber & Fleming catalogue (mid 1870s) that showed something (not sure if it is a vase or inkwell) with a 4 ball base - so maybe that is the ad that has been mentioned in several posts
Dressler, Eduard
Schreibendorf, Germany (1868 - early 20th C)
Also Josefstal, Czechoslovakia. Manufacturer of pressed & hand-blown glassware, & refiner of blanks produced by the Josephinenhütte & other glassworks

 

So how much would the 4 clear ball pyramid paperweight be worth?

 

I have the clear version of this. Any idea how much it's worth?

 

I paid around $40.00 (USD) for my Inkwell, and a little less for the paperweight. I see them listed (inkwells) for $80.00 - $250.00