Scottish Paperweights & Related Objects for Sale
Scottish Paperweights & Related Objects for Sale
The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass.
Stuart Drysdale was hired manage the business side of the enterprise in 1960. Vincent Ysart was the Works Manager. George Dunlop provided a portion of the financial backing. The senior craftsman, Jack Allan, was assisted by two glass blowers and a few apprentices.
Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey.
In 1967 Drysdale was sent a magazine article on antique paperweights (Woman's Day, July 1965). The inspired him to try to produce weights comparable to the French antiques. With this goal in mind, he and several of the glass workers left Strathearn to found Perthshire in 1968. From that start we have several Scottish Paperweight companies, including Caithness, John Deacons, William Manson, Peter McDougall, Phoenix, and Selkirk. Be sure to also check out my Perthshire page.
Peter McDougall was one of the very young glass workers who left Strathearn in 1968. When Perthshire closed in 2002 he was the head craftsman of Perthshire. Peter now has his own studio PMcD Glass Studio and makes paperweights under his own name. For a selection of Peter's paperweights, see my PMcD page.
John Deacons, another Scottish glass worker, also started his glassmaking career at Strathearn Glass in 1967. A year later in 1968, he left Strathearn and joined the new Perthshire venture. After about ten years at Perthshire he decided to leave and start his own company, Jay Glass, in 1978, which remained in operation until 1983. During that period, it produced paperweights under the Jay Glass label and also others signed St.K for St. Kilda and JD for John Deacons. John Deacons continues to make paperweights under his own label today.
Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff.
Allan Scott apprenticed at Perthshire and then joined Jay Glass shortly after it started and was responsible for much of the lampwork. When Jay Glass closed in 1983, he joined Caithness Glass where he stayed until 2007.
William Manson, Sr. started his glass working career at Caithness Glass at the age of 15 in the 1960s. He apprenticed with Paul Ysart. Manson left Caithness in 1971 to work at Ysart's Harland Glass and rejoined Caithness several years later in 1974. He was at Caithness on and off between 1974 and 1997 when he left for good to form his own studio William Manson Paperweights. His son William Manson, Jr. started making paperweights alongside his father starting in 1992. For a brief period (2004-2005), William Manson, Sr. made collaborative paperweights with John Deacons.
Phoenix Paperweights was a small company started by William Manson Sr. to engage three workers from Perthshire after Perthshire closed in January 2002. They only lasted a year and issued paperweights in 2002 and 2003 before closing in August 2003. Phoenix operated in the Manson works in Perth, Scotland. The glass workers were William Manson Sr., David McNichol (paperweight maker), Duncan Smith (lampworking), and Gordon Taylor (glass cutter). Some of the lampwork was also done by Rosette Fleming. The 2003 Phoenix catalog lists William Manson Paperweights as the distributor.
Another Scottish factory was Selkirk founded in 1977 by Peter Holmes and Ron Hutchinson. Peter apprenticed under Paul Ysart at Caithness from 1963 and continued at Caithness until 1977. Ron Hutchinson was also at Caithness. Selkirk produced a wide range of paperweight styles including abstract, lampwork and millefiori paperweights. The company was located in Selkirk, Scotland in the Borders Region. At some point they were purchased by Edinburgh Crystal and remained in operation until 2006. Peter Holmes left Selkirk in 2002 to start Scottish Borders Art Glass with his son, Andrew, at Galalaw, Hawick.
For more information, you can read about the Scottish paperweights in these two books:
And of course you might want to look at the Woman's Day article that inspired Stuart Drysdale to found Perthshire. For these and other great references on paperweights, check out my list of paperweight books for sale.If you would like to purchase
any of these paperweights, e-mail me at: aport@paperweights.com
| 2836 | Selkirk 1996 Stylized Blue Flower
Paperweight. dated 1996. This paperweight has
an stylized or abstract blue floral design with five trumpet
shaped petals and a green center. Each of the trumpet shapes
has an elongated bubble in the center. The design is placed
over a translucent blue ground. It is signed in script on
the base "SELKIRK GLASS SCOTLAND 1996". It also has a worn
paper label "SELKIRK GLASS HANDMADE IN SCOTLAND". A
colorful example from Selkirk Glass. Selkirk Glass founded in 1977 by Peter Holmes and Ron Hutchinson. Peter apprenticed under Paul Ysart at Caithness from 1963 and continued at Caithness until 1977. Ron Hutchinson was also at Caithness. Selkirk produced a wide range of paperweight styles including abstract, lampwork and millefiori paperweights. The company was located in Selkirk, Scotland in the Borders Region. At some point they were purchased by Edinburgh Crystal and remained in operation until 2006. . Peter Holmes started his glass working career at Caithness Glass (Scotland) in 1963 as an apprentice to Paul Ysart. He continued at Caithness until 1977, when he and Ron Hutchinson left Caithness to start Selkirk Glass. Peter left Selkirk in 2002 to start Scottish Borders Art Glass with his son, Andrew, at Galalaw, Hawick. Large size: 2 13/16" diameter by 2 5/8" high. The
bottom is ground concave. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$95 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5017 | Late Ysart Brothers or Early Vasart
Paneled Millefiori Paperweight - Many Annealing Cracks.
circa 1952-1956. This colorful paperweight consists of a
paneled millefiori pattern with eight sections with 1 green +2
brown millefiori canes each separated by a red and blue twist
cane. There is a central cluster of two rings of canes, 15
blue and 5 orange canes, around a central cross cane. The
design is set on a clear ground. The glass is slightly
gray. Unfortunately this paperweight is filled with
many internal annealing fractures / cracks. See the note
below for more information on the cause. An interesting
historical addition to any collection of Scottish paperweights. Note on annealing fractures / cracks: According to David Moir, who was an apprentice at the Ysart Brothers Shore Road works in 1954, the glass works had a lot of annealing problems at the Shore Road factory because it was fired with poor quality coke. It was difficult to maintain a level annealing temperature and sometimes would get too hot or too cold. Temperature was judged by putting your arm inside the oven to feel the heat. The problem was solved when George Dunlop (owner of Pirelli Glass in London) brought in fresh capital, equipment, and orders. This included an electrically controlled second-hand kiln from Rolls Royce which was a vast improvement on the old one and had electric temperature gauges. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. Paul Ysart (1904-1991), originally Pablo Moreno Isart, was apprenticed to his father as a glass worker at Moncrieff in 1922. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955. Shortly later, George Dunlop, the owner of Pirelli Glass in London, brought in fresh capital, equipment, and orders. Vincent Ysart and George Dunlop formed a new company in 1956, Vasart Glass Ltd. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The factory was taken over by Stuart Glass in 1980, and renamed Stuart Strathearn Ltd. Production ceased in 1992. Size: Just under 3" diameter by 1 15/16"
high. The base is fire finished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$95 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4963 | Rare Vasart / Lassman Checquer Pattern
Millefiori Paperweight Handle Bottle Opener. circa
1950s-1960s. This bottle opener has a rare checquer pattern
on the millefiori handle. It is possibly unique. The
firm of Lassman & Co. designed and produced this bottle opener
opener and a variety of other useful objects during the 1950s and
1960s. The attractive millefiori paperweight handle was made
by the Ysart family of Scotland under the Vasart label. The
handle has a checquer design with nine millefiori canes arranged
in a square surrounded by a latticinio square made up of four
short twist canes. There is a millefiori cane in the each
corner of the latticinio. The design is set on an amber
colored opaque ground. The chrome plated opener was made by
Lassman and the assembly was also done by them. The maker of this item was Lassman & Co. located in the Kilburn area of North London. Samuel Lassman purchased the paperweight handles from George Dunlop's Pirelli Glass in London. Pirelli obtained them from Vasart. Pirelli also took some assembled inventory back from Lassman and sold the barware items under the Pirelli label. Pirelli also included the line in their 1959 catalog. For more information, see my web page on Lassman & Co. or the article by Angela Bowey and Allan Port “Pirelli, Vasart and the Ysart Family” in the Paperweight Collectors Association Inc. Annual Bulletin 2015. A complete set of similar objects can be found at this link. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Stuart Drysdale was hired manage the business side of the enterprise in 1960. The company evolved into a new company Strathearn owned by Teachers Whiskey. In 1967 Drysdale was sent a magazine article on antique paperweights (Woman's Day, July 1965). The inspired him to try to produce weights comparable to the French antiques. With this goal in mind, he and several of the glass workers left Strathearn to found Perthshire in 1968. Size: 1 1/2" diameter. With the opener
hardware, it is 3 15/16" long. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the bottle opener$245 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4355 | William Manson Phoenix Limited Edition
FP13 Paneled Millefiori Paperweight. Dated 2003.
This paperweight has a paneled millefiori design with seven
panels of 1-1-2-3 millefiori and an outer circle of millefiori on
an opaque green ground. The paperweight was issued in a
limited edition of 75 paperweights of which this is number
25. It is signed and numbered "PHOENIX 2003 25/75" on the
base. Perfect condition with certificate
(#25/75) in the original (slightly torn) Phoenix gift box. This is
the domed example.
Phoenix Paperweights was a small company started by William Manson Sr. to engage three workers from Perthshire after Perthshire closed in January 2002. They only lasted a year and issued paperweights in 2002 and 2003 before closing in August 2003. Phoenix operated in the Manson works in Perth, Scotland. The glass workers were William Manson Sr., David McNichol (paperweight maker), Duncan Smith (lampworking), and Gordon Taylor (glass cutter). Some of the lampwork was also done by Rosette Fleming. The 2003 Phoenix catalog lists William Manson Paperweights as the distributor. Large Size: 2 7/8" diameter by just under 2" high. The
base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 2020 |
Vasart / Lassman Millefiori Paperweight
Handle Bottle Opener with Original Box. circa
1950s-1960s. The firm of Lassman & Co. designed and
produced this bottle opener opener and a variety of other useful
objects during the 1950s and 1960s. The attractive
millefiori paperweight handle was made by the Ysart family of
Scotland under the Vasart label. The handle has a
concentric design on a rust colored ground that matches the
setup and canes of other Vasart paperweights. The chrome
plated opener was made by Lassman and the assembly was also done
by them. This item comes with its original box and
celluloid cover. The box is fabric lined (the original
advertisements said "silk lined") with elastics to hold
the bottle opener in place. A rare find for collectors of
barware and Scottish paperweights. The maker of this item was Lassman & Co. located in the Kilburn area of North London. Samuel Lassman purchased the paperweight handles from George Dunlop's Pirelli Glass in London. Pirelli obtained them from Vasart. Pirelli also took some assembled inventory back from Lassman and sold the barware items under the Pirelli label. Pirelli also included the line in their 1959 catalog. For more information, see my web page on Lassman & Co. or the article by Angela Bowey and Allan Port “Pirelli, Vasart and the Ysart Family” in the Paperweight Collectors Association Annual Bulletin 2015. A complete set of similar objects can be found at this link. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Stuart Drysdale was hired manage the business side of the enterprise in 1960. The company evolved into a new company Strathearn owned by Teachers Whiskey. In 1967 Drysdale was sent a magazine article on antique paperweights (Woman's Day, July 1965). The inspired him to try to produce weights comparable to the French antiques. With this goal in mind, he and several of the glass workers left Strathearn to found Perthshire in 1968. Size: Just over 1 1/2" diameter by just under 3
3/4" long. The box is just under 3" long by 2 11/16" wide
by 2 9/16" high. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the bottle opener$345 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture to see a larger
image  |
| 2793 | Medium Colorful Strathearn Paneled
Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1963-1968. This
very attractive paperweight consists of a paneled millefiori
pattern with eight sections of 1+2+2 millefiori patterns each
separated by a white latticinio twist cane. There is a
central ring of six millefiori canes and then a center millefiori
cane. The canes are early Scottish millefiori canes on an
opaque blue ground. This is a very nice
example. A great addition to any collection of
Scottish paperweights.
The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. Medium Size: 2 9/16” diameter by 1 7/8”
high. Bottom is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$95 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5898 | Paul Ysart Signed Millefiori Heart in
Latticinio Basket Paperweight. circa
1930s-1979. Large paperweight with a blue millefiori heart
made up of complex canes. There is a complex "PY" signature
cane in the center of the heart. The heart is surrounded by
a latticinio basket - more accurately a basket composed of
straight green cogged canes each alternating with three white
twist canes, for a total of seven green canes and 21 twisted white
canes. The canes are pulled down to the base to form a
basket. The base is fire finished and ground concave in the
center. A beautiful addition to any collection of Scottish
paperweights. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland from Spain in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. Paul Ysart (1904-1991), originally Pablo Moreno Isart, was apprenticed to his father as a glass worker at Moncrieff in 1922. He worked on the production of Monart Art Glass. Paperweights were primarily an after hours activity. Paul made his first paperweight in the early 1930s. Production was interrupted by World War II and the Monart line was not restarted until 1946. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent left Moncrieff and founded Ysart Brothers Glass. They produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955. Paul stayed at Moncrieff from until 1962, when he joined Caithness as a Training Officer. While at Caithness, he trained Peter Holmes, Colin Terris, and William Manson, among others. After he retired from Caithness in 1972, he continued to make paperweights initially under the Harland label and then the Highland Paperweights label until 1979. You can read more about Paul Ysart in the book by Colin Mahoney Masterpieces: The Paperweights of Paul Ysart. Large Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2 1/8" high.
The base is fire finished and ground concave in the
center. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5662 | Caithness 1983 Colin Terris
Sea Dance Paperweight. issued in 1983.
This paperweight represents a turbulent sea, or as the certificate
states, "five silvery dancers perform amidst the swirling fronds
of the sea bed". The ground color is an orange/gold layer
over a dark green. There are five large bubbles to represent
the dancers and a few smaller bubbles, so maybe there is some
literary license taken in the description. There is also a
ring of smaller bubbles surrounding the design. And one
large center bubble. It is etched on the base "Caithness
SEADANCE Scotland". There is also an engraved registration
number H103099". It comes with its original
certificate. A fun design. The Sea Dance design is listed and designated CT-337 on page 55 of the Charlton Standard Catalog of Caithness Paperweights. It was designed in 1983 by Colin Terris. It was released in an unlimited edition. The original issue price in the US was $85.00. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Large size: 3 1/16" diameter by 2 3/4" high.
The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$59 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5294 | Medium Colorful Strathearn Paneled
Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1963-1968. This
attractive paperweight consists of a paneled millefiori pattern
with eleven sections of 1orange +1 green +2 tiny blue millefiori
patterns each separated by a white latticinio twist cane.
The blue canes are visible only from the side. There is a
central ring of eight millefiori canes and then a center
millefiori cane. The canes are early Scottish millefiori
canes on a transparent brown ground. This is a great
example. A nice addition to any collection of Scottish
paperweights.
The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The company is no longer in existence. Medium Size: 2 9/16” diameter by 1 3/4”
high. Bottom is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image |
| 4680 | Large Early Selkirk Peter Holmes 1979
Aquarius Limited Edition Footed Paperweight. dated
1979. In my mind, this paperweight has an abstract
representation of the expression "the dawning of the age of
Aquarius" from the 1967 musical Hair, which was released on film
in 1979. That's my interpretation, you can have your
own. I see a large silvery bubble charged with green energy
suspended above a green sea. There are undefined bodies
rising from the surface to join the sphere. The paperweight
is an early design from Peter Holmes created shortly after
founding Selkirk Glass. It is signed in script on the edge
of the base "SELKIRK GLASS SCOTLAND AQUARIUS 102/350 1979",
indicating it is number 102 in a limited edition of 350
paperweights. It also has an early Peter Holmes "PH"
signature cane. Pedestal or footed paperweights like this
from Selkirk are rare, with only a few designs made in this
form. A imaginative paperweight in excellent condition. Selkirk Glass founded in 1977 by Peter Holmes and Ron Hutchinson. Peter apprenticed under Paul Ysart at Caithness from 1963 and continued at Caithness until 1977. Ron Hutchinson was also at Caithness. Selkirk produced a wide range of paperweight styles including abstract, lampwork and millefiori paperweights. The company was located in Selkirk, Scotland in the Borders Region. At some point they were purchased by Edinburgh Crystal and remained in operation until 2006. . Peter Holmes started his glass working career at Caithness Glass (Scotland) in 1963 as an apprentice to Paul Ysart. He continued at Caithness until 1977, when he and Ron Hutchinson left Caithness to start Selkirk Glass. Peter left Selkirk in 2002 to start Scottish Borders Art Glass with his son, Andrew, at Galalaw, Hawick. Large Size: 3" diameter by 2 7/8" high. There is
a footed base, which is 2 3/8" diameter. The bottom of the
foot is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$165 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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to see a larger image  |
| Perthshire Paperweights. Please click on this link. | ||
| Peter McDougall Paperweights. Please click on this link. | ||
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Early Large Caithness Peter Holmes
Cascade - Rainbow Two Layer Fountain Paperweight. circa
1975. This large egg shaped Caithness paperweight features a
wonderful two layer fountain design with a rainbow of
colors. The fountains "cascade" down to a black ground
dusted with grey frit. It is etched on the base "Caithness
CASCADE Scotland". There is also a two color "CG"
signature cane on the base. The glass has a grayish
tinge. A beautiful paperweight with great color. Note on condition: There is extensive scratching on the base including some rough areas on the edge of the base. I have rated the condition Good rather than Very Good because this is an abnormal amount of wear for a contemporary paperweight. The body of the paperweight is great and I found no chips, cracks or scratches on the body. The CASCADE - RAINBOW design is listed and designated CT-32 on page 11 of the Charlton Standard Catalog of Caithness Paperweights. It was designed in 1974 by Peter Holmes. The Charlton Standard Catalog lists two versions of CASCADE, CT-31 on page 10 with silver fountains and CASCADE - RAINBOW, CT-32 on page 11 with the rainbow of colors. Both started production in 1974, originally with a Peter Holmes "PH" signature cane and finished production with a Caithness Glass "CG" signature cane. It is possible the switch to "CG" was the result of Holmes planning to depart Caithness which happened in 1977. The paperweight offered here is clearly the Rainbow version. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Peter Holmes started his glass working career at Caithness Glass (Scotland) in 1963 as an apprentice to Paul Ysart. He continued at Caithness until 1977, when he and Ron Hutchinson left Caithness to start Selkirk Glass. Peter left Selkirk in 2002 to start Scottish Borders Art Glass with his son, Andrew, at Galalaw, Hawick. Very large size: 2 13/16" diameter by 4"
high. The base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 5897 | John Deacons / William Manson, Sr. 2006
Strathearn Collection Flower & Double Torsade Paperweight.
dated 2006. This limited edition paperweight consists of a
large blue and white five petaled flower surrounded by a garland
of five red roses and a second blue and green millefiori
garland. The flower has five green sepals and a yellow
complex millefiori center. The design is set on a
translucent amber ground. The paperweight is one of the
Strathearn Collection collaborative series made by John Deacons
and William Manson Sr. It is signed on the base with John
Deacons' "JD 2006" signature cane and William Manson's "WM"
signature cane. The JD 2006 cane also has a green thistle
with two green shamrocks just below the JD. It is also
marked "S7 14/25". A very attractive paperweight.
In 2006, John Deacons and William Manson collaborated to make three sets of 12 paperweight designs or 36 designs in all. They were called the Strathearn Collection. Each design was a limited edition of 25 paperweights. Each weight was signed with the signature cane of both artists. This paperweight is designated S7 14/25, meaning it is the seventh design in the Strathearn Collection and is #14 of the limited edition of 25 paperweights. John Deacons learned his craft at Strathearn Glass in Crieff, Scotland in 1967. When Perthshire was formed in 1968, he left Strathearn to move to Perthshire and worked there for 10 years before leaving in 1978 to start his own glass studio. He has produced paperweights and other glass objects under a variety of labels, including J Glass, St. Kilda, and now under his own name. The St. Kilda line was produced from 1978 or 1979 through 1987. You can read about John Deacons in the book by Hall - Scottish Paperweights. Today John works with his son Craig at his own studio. William Manson, Sr. started his glass working career at Caithness Glass at the age of 15 in the 1960s. He apprenticed with Paul Ysart. Manson left Caithness in 1971 to work at Ysart's Harland Glass and rejoined Caithness several years later in 1974. He was at Caithness on and off between 1974 and 1997 when he left for good to form his own studio William Manson Paperweights. His son, William David Manson, assisted him starting in 1992, taking it up as a career in 1996 (age 18) and continued until the market cooled in 2003-2004. He is now in the process of setting up his own studio (in 2022). For a brief period (2004-2006), William Manson, Sr. made collaborative paperweights with John Deacons. Large Size: Just under 2 7/8" diameter by 2 3/16"
high. The base is ground concave. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$245 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image  |
| 2863 | Early Selkirk 1980 Poinsettia
Paperweight. dated 1980. This paperweight has a
pale green five petal poinsettia on a translucent cobalt blue
ground. The flower has five dark green sepals and a pink and
white millefiori cane in the center. It is signed in script
on the base "SELKIRK GLASS SCOTLAND 1980". It also has a
worn paper label "SELKIRK GLASS HANDMADE IN SCOTLAND". An
colorful early example from Selkirk Glass. Selkirk Glass founded in 1977 by Peter Holmes and Ron Hutchinson. Peter apprenticed under Paul Ysart at Caithness from 1963 and continued at Caithness until 1977. Ron Hutchinson was also at Caithness. Selkirk produced a wide range of paperweight styles including abstract, lampwork and millefiori paperweights. The company was located in Selkirk, Scotland in the Borders Region. At some point they were purchased by Edinburgh Crystal and remained in operation until 2006. . Peter Holmes started his glass working career at Caithness Glass (Scotland) in 1963 as an apprentice to Paul Ysart. He continued at Caithness until 1977, when he and Ron Hutchinson left Caithness to start Selkirk Glass. Peter left Selkirk in 2002 to start Scottish Borders Art Glass with his son, Andrew, at Galalaw, Hawick. Small size: 2 5/16" diameter by 1 5/8" high. The
bottom is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image
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| 5027 | Faceted Harlequin Type
Paperweight with Five Icepick Bubbles - Possibly Unknown
European or Scottish. circa 1950 -1980.
Most likely made at an unknown European factory although
there is a slight possibility that it was made by a member of the
Ysart family. This paperweight has a large central bubble
and four side bubbles pushed down to a multi-colored frit
ground. It is similar to the Harlequin paperweights shown in
Colin Mahoney's book on Paul Ysart paperweights, but it not good
enough to be called a Paul Ysart Harlequin weight. There is
a tight ring of twelve thumbprint facets around the side near the
base. The glass has a lot of small bubbles. An
interesting study paperweight. Note: My first inclination was to call this Bohemian or unknown European, but I could not find any close matches in the literature. Similarly, it shares some characteristics with the harlequin paperweights shown in Colin Mahoney's book Masterpieces: The Paperweights of Paul Ysart, but is not a good match there either. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland from Spain in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. Paul Ysart (1904-1991), originally Pablo Moreno Isart, was apprenticed to his father as a glass worker at Moncrieff in 1922. He worked on the production of Monart Art Glass. Paperweights were primarily an after hours activity. Paul made his first paperweight in the early 1930s. Production was interrupted by World War II and the Monart line was not restarted until 1946. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent left Moncrieff and founded Ysart Brothers Glass. They produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955. Paul stayed at Moncrieff from until 1962, when he joined Caithness as a Training Officer. While at Caithness, he trained Peter Holmes, Colin Terris, and William Manson, among others. After he retired from Caithness in 1972, he continued to make paperweights initially under the Harland label and then the Highland Paperweights label until 1979. You can read more about Paul Ysart in the book by Colin Mahoney Masterpieces: The Paperweights of Paul Ysart. Large Size: 2 15/16" at the widest by 2 9/16"
high. The bottom is ground slightly concave. There
are twelve flat side facets For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$95 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 2843 | Edinburgh Crystal Caithness 1986 Double
Trefoil "Ring of Roses"Millefiori Paperweight. circa
1986. This is a rare example made by Caithness Glass for
Edinburgh Crystal. It features a double trefoil design
titled "Ring of Roses" with green and pink millefiori and an
Edinburgh "E" signature cane in the center. The design is
placed over a dark purple almost opaque ground. Note: Most Edinburgh paperweights were also signed with an acid etch or sandblasted signature - this example is not. It is possible that this is an early prototype or even a second. The Ring of Roses design is shown in the 1986 Edinburgh Crystal Paperweights catalog as an unlimited issue paperweight. The 1986 catalog showed eight unlimited designs and twelve limited edition paperweights. Edinburgh Crystal originated as a glassworks in Scotland at Leith in 1664. The company had a long history as a glassworks, merging with and acquiring other companies, eventually becoming part of Webb Glass after World War I, although they retained the name Edinburgh and Leith Glassworks until 1955. In 1955, the name was changed to Edinburgh Crystal Glass Co. Edinburgh never made glass paperweights. Paperweights were made for Edinburgh by Caithness Glass in 1985 and 1986. Later production appears to have been outsourced to other countries. In 2004 Edinburgh Crystal purchased Caithness Glass out of receivership. Finances did not work out and Edinburgh ceased to exist in 2006 with Dartington Crystal acquiring some of the remaining assets. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Large Size: 2 7/8" diameter by just under 2 3/16"
high. The base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$75 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4678 | Early 1978 Large Caithness Amber Myriad
Abstract Paperweight. circa 1978. This early
Caithness paperweight features an abstract design with a swirling
tornado-like vortex rising from a bed of multi-colored glass
bits. The transparent amber ground has a ring of controlled
bubbles placed just above the base. There are larger bubbles
deliberately placed above the vortex. The paperweight is
signed with an acid etch on the base "Caithness MYRIAD
Scotland". Great color.
This design is listed and designated CT-91 on page 21 of the Charlton Standard Catalog of Caithness Paperweights. It was designed in 1978 at the Oban Studios as part of the Modern Design Series.. The paperweight came in many color variations, including Blue, Green, Purple and Red. And this one - which is Amber. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Large Size: 3 1/16" diameter by 2 9/16"
high. The base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$59 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 5292 | Large Strathearn Paneled Millefiori
Paperweight with Transparent Green Ground. circa
1963-1968. This very attractive paperweight consists of a
paneled millefiori pattern with ten sections each with one small
and one large millefiori cane and separated by a white latticinio
twist cane. There is a central ring of eight millefiori
canes and then a center millefiori cane. There are a two
stray small bubbles over the center cane. The canes are
early Scottish millefiori canes on a transparent green
ground. This is a very nice example. A great
addition to any collection of Scottish paperweights.
The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. Large Size: Just under 3 1/8” diameter by 2
1/16” high. The base is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$120 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5894 | Large Faceted Strathearn Spaced
Millefiori on Lace Paperweight with Early Scottish Canes.
dated 1979. This fine Strathearn spaced millefiori on lace
paperweight features sixteen early Scottish millefiori canes that
were originally made in the Moncrieff (Monart) or Vasart
period. The paperweight was made by either David Moir or
Herbert Dreier and has a (distorted) Strathearn complex signature
cane "S 79" on the base. The paperweight is faceted with one
large top facet and five side facets. This would make a
fantastic addition addition to any collection of Scottish
paperweights. According to David Moir, the millefiori canes in this paperweight are old Monart type canes that were brought with by the Ysarts when they left Moncrieff. They were never used and kept out of the way until David Moir and Herbert Dreier were given permission to use them in 1979 by the management at Teachers Whiskey (who owned Strathearn). Some of the individual canes might be attributed to Salvadore during the early Vasart period rather than Monart. The birth of Scottish paperweight making
is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who
moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at
John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights
during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons
Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and
produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador
Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to
Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a
reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company
was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The factory was taken
over by Stuart Glass in 1980 and renamed Stuart Strathearn
Ltd. After 1980, this factory ceased production of
paperweights and stopped all production in 1992. Stuart
Crystal ceased all operations in 2001. David Quintin Moir (born 1939) started as an apprentice at Vasart (Ysart Brothers Shore Road works) in 1954. He stayed when the name was changed to Strathearn and left in 1980. He often contributes to discussions of Scottish glass on Facebook. Herbert Dreier (born 1942 to an
Austrian coal-mining family) was originally destined to work
in the mines, but he left to join a glass factory in Bärnbach,
Austria where served a three year apprenticeship. In
1960, he moved to Germany where he worked for Peill Butzler,
Dren, Germany as a glass blower. He and a friend
responded to an advertisement for Caithness Glass and moved to
Wick, Scotland, where he worked as a glass blower under Paul
Ysart from 1963-65, later moving to Strathearn Glass as Master
Craftsman. He remained with Strathearn through the
takeover by Stuart Crystal and had a number of positions with
Stuart Crystal. When Stuart ceased operation in 2001, he
moved to Plowden & Thompson in Stourbridge as a Master
Craftsman. In a life-time devoted to the art of
glassblowing, Herbert Dreier’s repertoire encompassed
paperweights, lamp-bases, decorative bowls, vases and
three-dimensional decorative pieces. Size: 3” diameter by 2 3/16" high.
The base is polished flat. The paperweight is faceted with
one large top facet and five side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$395 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 5648 | Magnum Selkirk 1988 Limited Edition
Abstract Calypso Paperweight with Certificate. dated
1988. This paperweight has a colorful abstract design
reminiscent of a twirling calypso dancer kicking up dust on the
ground. It is number 51 out of a limited edition of 500
paperweights. It is signed in script on the base "SELKIRK
GLASS SCOTLAND CALYPSO 51/500 1988" and comes with its original
certificate. A fantastic item from Selkirk Glass. Selkirk Glass founded in 1977 by
Peter Holmes and Ron Hutchinson. Peter apprenticed under
Paul Ysart at Caithness from 1963 and continued at Caithness
until 1977. Ron Hutchinson, a graduate of Edinburgh
University, was also at Caithness. Selkirk produced a
wide range of paperweight styles including abstract, lampwork
and millefiori paperweights. The company was located in
Selkirk, Scotland in the Borders Region. At some point
they were purchased by Edinburgh Crystal and remained in
operation until 2006. Very large size: 3 5/16" diameter by 2 3/16"
high. The bottom is ground concave. Magnum sized, it
weighs 28 ounces. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$125 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5428 | Rare 1974 Strathearn Faceted Upright Red
Flower Paperweight with Original Box. dated
1974. This is a rare Strathearn faceted five petal upright
red flower with three leaves and a stem. There is a
translucent red ground. It is designated PSF62 in the
catalog on Scotland's Glass and is part of the second series of
upright flower. It has a polished flat base. The
paperweight is faceted with a small top facet and eight side
facets (four large and four smaller below). There is a paper
label "STRATHEARN HAND MADE IN SCOTLAND" and Strathearn's "S 74"
signature cane on the base. It comes with its original satin
lined blue Strathearn Glass box. A great addition to any
collection of Scottish paperweights. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The company is no longer in existence. Large Size: 2 5/16” diameter by 3 1/2”
high. It has a polished flat base. The paperweight
is faceted with a small top facet and eight side facets (four
large and four smaller below). The box is 6 1/2" long by
4" wide by 3" high. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$175 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4285 | Magnum Caithness 1977 Colin
Terris Jubilee Moonflower Limited Edition Paperweight.
dated 1977. This paperweight is one of a group
of four Caithness paperweights created to celebrate the silver
jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The large spherical
Caithness paperweight features a celebratory fountain design with
four large bubbles and a center spray. There are nine
smaller bubbles at a lower level. The design is set over a
clear ground. This paperweight is engraved "EiiR 1952 -
1977" and the number 501. It is number 501 in a limited
edition of 3,000 paperweights. It also has a worn Caithness
label "CG HAND MADE IN SCOTLAND" with writing in blue ink on
it. A beautiful design. The JUBILEE MOONFLOWER design is listed and designated CT-70 on page 18 of the Charlton Standard Catalog of Caithness Paperweights. It was designed in 1977 by Colin Terris. It was released in a limited edition of 3,000 paperweights, all of which were made. This design was one of four paperweights in the HM Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Collection. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Very large size: Just under 3 3/16" diameter by 2
11/16" high. The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$65 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 5621 | Miniature Strathearn Eight Pointed Star
Concentric Millefiori Paperweight with Opaque Turquoise Ground.
circa 1963-1968. This miniature paperweight features a three
ring concentric millefiori design and is finished as a eight
pointed star. The ground is an opaque turquoise. The
star points give the glass a glittery appearance. This
paperweight has a Strathearn paper label with a leaping salmon and
"STRATHEARN HAND MADE IN SCOTLAND" on the base. A great
addition to any collection of Scottish glass. This is called a pressed weight because a mold is used to form the shape. The top is flattened. The star points give the glass a real glittery appearance as you can see in the pictures. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. Miniature size: 2” diameter by 1 3/16”
high. The base is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$59 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5670 | Caithness Period Whitefriars 1984
Faceted Butterfly Silhouette Millefiori Paperweight with
Certificate. dated 1984. This paperweight with
three rings of pink and white complex millefiori around the
complex central cane over a translucent aquamarine ground.
The complex center cane consists of two rings of pink and white
millefiori around a central cobalt blue butterfly silhouette
cane. Every millefiori cane in this paperweight is a complex
cane. It is faceted with one large top facet and six smaller
side facets. It is signed and dated on the bottom with the
Whitefriars signature cane dated 1984 and a Whitefriars monk
symbol. It comes with its original certificate. A
wonderful design
This paperweight comes with its original certificate stating that it was designed by Colin Terris and made at Whitefriars, a division of Caithness Glass in Perth Scotland. This is one of the transition period paperweights issued after Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name in 1980. It does not appear in any of the Whitefriars catalogs nor in the Colin Terris publications on Caithness. I have seen this paperweight with a 1984 date and also a 1985 date. It may also exist for other years. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Modern Whitefriars paperweights are prized by collectors for their high quality glass and millefiori designs. The paperweights with mosaic canes are especially sought after. The name Whitefriars Glass dates from sometime in the 1600s. The original site had been occupied by a community of Carmelite monks known as White Friars, hence the name taken by the glass company. Some sources state that at least a portion of the company operated under the name of James Powell and Sons from 1834 to 1962. Other sources state that the Whitefriars name was used from 1680 to 1980. Limited production of millefiori paperweights and other millefiori items started some time in the 1930s and first appeared in the 1938 catalog. Millefiori items were made using English full lead crystal (33% lead oxide). It is difficult to associate specific paperweights with this production. After 1945, they made colored glass and bubble design paperweights until the modern millefiori production started about 1951. Even then relatively few designs were produced until the 1970s. In 1980, Whitefriars glass went out of business. After Whitefriars Glass was liquidated, Caithness Glass purchased the rights to the name and produced paperweights under the Whitefriars name for awhile.Size: 2 3/16" diameter by just under 1 5/8"
high. The base is ground flat. Faceted with one
large top facet and six smaller side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$125 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5570 | Caithness Period Whitefriars 1981
Faceted Snow Crystal Millefiori Limited Edition
Paperweight. dated 1981. This paperweight
features a snow crystal patterned millefiori design set on a dark
blue (almost black) ground. There is a complex Whitefriars
1981 signature cane in the center of the design. It is
faceted with one large top facet and six smaller side
facets. This design was designed by Colin Terris and issued
in 1981 in a limited edition of 1000 paperweights, of which only
230 were made. The paperweight is signed on the base
"WHITEFRIARS SNOW CRYSTAL" and has an engraved edition number
"23/1000". A wonderful design. The SNOW CRYSTAL design is listed and designated CT-256 on page 44 of the Charlton Standard Catalog of Caithness Paperweights. It was designed in 1981 by Colin Terris. It was released in a limited edition of 1,000 paperweights, of which only 230 were made. This is one of the transition period paperweights issued after Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name in 1980. The original issue price in the US was $250. Note: This paperweight has several faint scratches on the side near the base and a 1/2" scuffed area also on the side as shown in the pictures. They do not affect the display of the paperweight. When inspecting the paperweight I didn't notice them until I viewed them against the dark ground. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Modern Whitefriars paperweights are prized by collectors for their high quality glass and millefiori designs. The paperweights with mosaic canes are especially sought after. The name Whitefriars Glass dates from sometime in the 1600s. The original site had been occupied by a community of Carmelite monks known as White Friars, hence the name taken by the glass company. Some sources state that at least a portion of the company operated under the name of James Powell and Sons from 1834 to 1962. Other sources state that the Whitefriars name was used from 1680 to 1980. Limited production of millefiori paperweights and other millefiori items started some time in the 1930s and first appeared in the 1938 catalog. Millefiori items were made using English full lead crystal (33% lead oxide). It is difficult to associate specific paperweights with this production. After 1945, they made colored glass and bubble design paperweights until the modern millefiori production started about 1951. Even then relatively few designs were produced until the 1970s. In 1980, Whitefriars glass went out of business. After Whitefriars Glass was liquidated, Caithness Glass purchased the rights to the name and produced paperweights under the Whitefriars name for awhile.Size: 3 1/16" diameter by just under 2 1/2"
high. The base is ground flat. Faceted with one
large top facet and six smaller side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5661 | Caithness 1987 Colin Terris
Pink Champagne Paperweight. issued in
1987. This whimsical paperweight is intended to remind us of
a glass of bubbly pink champagne. There is a wispy bubble
covered pink center and an outer layer of clear bubbled
glass. And one large center bubble. It is etched on
the base "Caithness PINK CHAMPAGNE Scotland". There is also
a hard to read registration number which I think is H120776" or
"11120776". A fun design. The PINK CHAMPAGNE design is listed and designated CT-550 on page 86 of the Charlton Standard Catalog of Caithness Paperweights. It was designed in 1987 by Colin Terris. It was released in an unlimited edition. The original issue price in the US was $69.50. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Large size: 3 1/8" diameter by 2 7/8" high.
The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$49 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5566 | Large Colorful Strathearn Paneled
Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1963-1968. This
very attractive paperweight consists of a paneled millefiori
pattern with nine panels of 1 (blue) + 2 (red) + 2 (orange and
white) millefiori patterns each separated by a white latticinio
twist cane. There is a central ring of seven dark blue
millefiori canes and then a center orange and white millefiori
cane. The canes are early Scottish millefiori canes on an
opaque black ground. This paperweight has its original
Strathearn paper label "STRATHEARN HAND MADE IN SCOTLAND" on the
base. It also has a sticker from an early Selman
auction. This is a great addition to any collection of
Scottish paperweights. Great color. This paperweight has a sticker on the base from an early Selman Online Auction (Auction 7 Lot 68). This is online auction is different from the auctions that had print catalogs. The previous owner paid $200 for this paperweight. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The company is no longer in existence. Large size: Just under 3” diameter by 2
1/4” high. The base is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$125 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture to see a larger image |
| 1851 | Rare Large Vasart or Strathearn Paneled
Millefiori Paperweight Pin Dish. circa
1946-1969. This pin dish features a paneled millefiori
design with seven panels with a 1-2 cane pattern separated by
colored twists over an orange ground. There is a ring of
pink canes with blue centers in the center of the design.
The dish is heavy with thick walls and a depressed center.
An interesting historical addition to any collection of Scottish
paperweights, Ysart glass or millefiori collectibles.
Items like this were made by the many of the Scottish paperweight companies (Ysart Brothers, Vasart Glass, Strathearn Glass, or even Perthshire Paperweights). Some of the products made by Vasart were also sold with a Pirelli label. It is important to note that most pin dishes started off as a paperweight. The maker found a defect or problem and rather than stop, turned it into a pin dish. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. Large Size: 3 7/8” diameter by 1 5/8” high.
The center well is 2 13/16" diameter. The base is fire
polished and the pontil mark is ground down. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$125 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 3437 | Large Colorful Strathearn Paneled
Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1963-1968. This
very attractive paperweight consists of a paneled millefiori
pattern with nine panels of 1 (white) + 2 (yellow) + 2 (pink)
millefiori patterns each separated by a white latticinio twist
cane. There is a central ring of seven dark green
millefiori canes and then a center orange millefiori cane.
The canes are early Scottish millefiori canes on a translucent
blue ground. This is a great addition to any collection of
Scottish paperweights. Great color. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The company is no longer in existence. Size: 3 1/16” diameter by 2 5/16”
high. The base is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$125 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4917 | Magnum John Deacons 2000 Two Flower
Crown Paperweight with Double Overlay and Fancy
Cutting. dated 2000. This colorful teal
blue overlay paperweight features two five petal flowers, one red
with white stripes and one light blue, with white millefiori
centers and green foliage. The design is placed on top of a
sphere of made from twenty white latticinio twist canes, making
the inner design a crown paperweight. The inner sphere is
encased further and a teal blue and white double overlay is added
on the outside, giving the impression of a paperweight within a
paperweight. There is a "JD2000" signature / date cane on
the base (with an upside down "2". This paperweight has a
complex cutting with a large top facet and sixteen side facets in
two rows plus additional cuts at the top and base. A
fantastic paperweight from this talented artist. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. John Deacons learned his craft at
Strathearn Glass in Crieff, Scotland in 1967. When Perthshire
was formed in 1968, he left Strathearn to move to Perthshire
and worked there for 10 years before leaving in 1978 to start
his own glass studio. He has produced paperweights and other
glass objects under a variety of labels, including J Glass,
St. Kilda, and now under his own name. Some of the lines were
produced simultaneously. J Glass was produced
from 1978 to 1983. When John Deacons left Perthshire in
1978 to set up J Glass, Allan Scott and Harry McKay followed
John to J Glass. They stayed at J Glass until it closed
in March 1983. The St.
Kilda line was produced from 1978 or 1979 through
1987. He now works with his son Craig Deacons in
their studio in Crieff. You can read about John Deacons
in the book by Hall - Scottish Paperweights.
Very large size: 3 3/16 diameter by 2 3/16"
high. The base is ground concave. The double overlay
exterior has a complex cutting with a large top facet and
sixteen side facets in two rows plus additional cuts at the top
and base. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture SOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5664 | Large Caithness 1985 Limited
Edition Flair US Collectors Club Paperweight. This
paperweight features a single five petaled ruby colored flower
rising from a transparent aquamarine ground. The stem is
surrounded by a controlled pattern of bubbles. There is a
large dew drop (bubble) in the center of the flower. The
paperweight was issued in 1985 in a limited edition of 500
paperweights for members of the US Caithness Collectors
Club. This paperweight is etched on the base "CAITHNESS
SCOTLAND FLAIR US COLLECTORS PAPERWEIGHT" and is engraved
"99/500". It comes with its original certificate stating
that it was designed by Colin Terris and that this is edition 99
of a limited edition of 500 paperweights. A beautiful
design. Caithness Glass was founded by Robin Sinclair in Wick in north eastern Scotland in 1961. The factory did not start making paperweights until 1962 when Paul Ysart joined Caithness. Colin Terris joined Caithness in 1968 and started the modern line of paperweights in 1969. A second factory was opened in Oban in 1969 and the Perth factory opened in 1979. In 1980, Caithness purchased the Whitefriars name and designs. More recently Caithness recently went through a number of changes of ownership. After going into receivership in 2004, it was purchased by Edinburgh Crystal, but went into receivership again in 2006. Finally, it was bought out of receivership by Dartington Crystal. The factories in Wick, Oban and Perth all closed and were replaced by a smaller operation and visitors' center in Crieff. Very large size: 3 1/8" diameter by 2 3/4"
high. The base is polished flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4040 | Large Strathearn Eight Pointed Star
Paneled Millefiori Paperweight with Opaque Orange Ground.
circa 1963-1968. This paperweight is finished as a eight
pointed star. The star points give the glass a glittery
appearance. It features a paneled millefiori design with
seven panels of 1+1+2 millefiori patterns each separated by a
white latticinio twist cane. There is a central ring of six
millefiori canes and then a center millefiori cane. The
canes are early Scottish millefiori canes on an opaque orange
ground. A great addition to any collection of Scottish
glass. This is called a pressed weight because a mold is used to form the shape. The top is flattened. The star points give the glass a real glittery appearance as you can see in the pictures. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. Size: 2 3/4” diameter by 1 3/16”
high. The base is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 2862 | Peter Holmes
Selkirk 1997 Blue Clematis and Vine with Buds and Millefiori
Garland Paperweight. dated 1997. This magnum
paperweight has a wonderful double tiered blue clematis with a
vine wrapping around the flower. The vine has four blue buds
and eight leaves. In turn, the floral composition is
surrounded by a millefiori garland of alternating pink and green
canes with an extra green Peter Holmes "PH" signature cane.
The design is placed over a clear ground and faceted with one
large top facet and seven side facets. In addition to the PH
signature cane, it is signed in script next to the base "SELKIRK
GLASS SCOTLAND DOUBLE CLEMATIS 24 1997" and there is also a
"SELKIRK GLASS Hand made in Scotland" foil label. A
wonderful paperweight in perfect condition. Note: The script signature contains the number "24". I assume this an edition number within a limited edition, but have not been able find any information on the edition size. Selkirk Glass founded in 1977 by Peter Holmes and Ron Hutchinson. Peter apprenticed under Paul Ysart at Caithness from 1963 and continued at Caithness until 1977. Ron Hutchinson was also at Caithness. Selkirk produced a wide range of paperweight styles including abstract, lampwork and millefiori paperweights. The company was located in Selkirk, Scotland in the Borders Region. At some point they were purchased by Edinburgh Crystal and remained in operation until 2006. . Peter Holmes started his glass working career at Caithness Glass (Scotland) in 1963 as an apprentice to Paul Ysart. He continued at Caithness until 1977, when he and Ron Hutchinson left Caithness to start Selkirk Glass. Peter left Selkirk in 2002 to start Scottish Borders Art Glass with his son, Andrew, at Galalaw, Hawick. Very large size: 3 1/4" diameter by 2" high. The
bottom is ground concave. It is faceted with one large top
facet and seven side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 3020 | William Manson 1980 Yellow Spotted Green
Aventurine Salamander Limited Edition Paperweight.
dated 1980. This a William Manson yellow-spotted
green aventurine salamander moving among scattered white rocks on
a brown and yellow sandy surface. The design is placed over
an almost opaque amethyst ground. It was issued as a limited
edition of 150 paperweights and is engraved on the base "94/150"
and also has a "wm 80" signature / date cane on the base.
This paperweight was made at William Manson's small home studio
during a period that he was employed on and off by
Caithness. A brilliant design. William Manson, Snr. started his glass working career at Caithness Glass at the age of 15 in the 1960s. He apprenticed with Paul Ysart. Manson left Caithness in 1971 to work at Ysart's Harland Glass and rejoined Caithness several years later in 1974. He was at Caithness on and off between 1974 and 1997. During this period he also had a small studio at home. In 1997 he left for good to form his own studio William Manson Paperweights. After Perthshire closed in January 2002, William Manson Sr. started Phoenix Paperweights to engage three workers from Perthshire. They only lasted a year and issued paperweights in 2002 and 2003 before closing in August 2003. Phoenix operated in the Manson works in Perth, Scotland. For a brief period (2004-2006), William Manson, Sr. made collaborative paperweights with John Deacons. His son, William David Manson, assisted him starting in 1992, taking it up as a career in 1996 (age 18) and continued until the market cooled in 2003-2004. He is now in the process of setting up his own studio (in 2021). Size: Just over 2 7/8" diameter by 2" high.
The base is ground flat. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4034 | Medium Colorful Strathearn Close Packed
Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1963-1968. This is
a very attractive and colorful Strathearn close packed millefiori
paperweight. The design is placed over an opaque pink- beige
ground. A nice addition to any collection of Scottish
paperweights. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. The company is no longer in existence. Medium size: Just over 2 3/8” diameter by 2
1/16” high. The base is fire polished and ground concave
in the center. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$89 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4349 | William Manson Phoenix Limited Edition
FP8 Pink Flower with Bud and Millefiori Garland Paperweight.
dated 2003. This paperweight has
wonderful double tiered pink flower with ten petals plus a bud,
leaves, and stems. The flower has a nice yellow millefiori
center. The design is surrounded by a garland of identical
millefiori canes and is set on an opaque black (actually dark
purple) ground. Each millefiori cane in the garland has a
white cogged exterior with a yellow five point star in the
center. The paperweight was issued in a limited edition of
50 paperweights of which this is number 48. It is signed and
numbered "PHOENIX 2003 48/50" on the base and also has a Phoenix
"PP" signature cane near the stem of the flower. It comes
with its original certificate. A great addition to any
collection of Scottish paperweights. Phoenix Paperweights was a small company started by William Manson Sr. to engage three workers from Perthshire after Perthshire closed in January 2002. They only lasted a year and issued paperweights in 2002 and 2003 before closing in August 2003. Phoenix operated in the Manson works in Perth, Scotland. The glass workers were William Manson Sr., David McNichol (paperweight maker), Duncan Smith (lampworking), and Gordon Taylor (glass cutter). Some of the lampwork was also done by Rosette Fleming. The 2003 Phoenix catalog lists William Manson Paperweights as the distributor. Large size: 2 15/16" diameter by 2" high. The base is
ground concave in the center. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$235 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 4026 | Miniature Strathearn Eight Pointed Star
Concentric Millefiori Paperweight with Opaque Lime Green Ground.
circa 1963-1968. This miniature paperweight features a three
ring concentric millefiori design and is finished as a eight
pointed star. The ground is an opaque lime green. The
star points give the glass a glittery appearance. This
paperweight has a worn Strathearn paper label with a leaping
salmon and "STRATHEARN HAND MADE IN SCOTLAND" on the base. A
great addition to any collection of Scottish glass. This is called a pressed weight because a mold is used to form the shape. The top is flattened. The star points give the glass a real glittery appearance as you can see in the pictures. The birth of Scottish paperweight making is credited to the glass making family of Salvador Ysart, who moved to Crieff, Scotland in 1922. They worked first at John Moncrieff Ltd and made the earliest Scottish paperweights during that period. In 1946 Salvadore and his sons Augustine and Vincent founded Ysart Brothers Glass and produced glass wares under the Vasart label. Salvador Ysart died in 1955 The company name was later changed to Vasart Glass. Strathearn Glass was formed in a reorganization of Vasart glass in 1963. The new company was owned by Teachers Whiskey. Miniature size: 2 1/16” diameter by 1 1/8”
high. The base is fire polished. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$59 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
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