Any Crystal Goblet experts here?

[speeder]

I know it's a long shot but this board never ceases to amaze me.

Doing some New Years cleaning and I have a ton of stuff to sell or donate. This goblet is from my dad's house, (I think), and I have no idea if it's worth $5 or $500. I can't see any markings on it, (trademarks), but maybe they don't have them on crystal(?)

Thanks in advance as always.

[speeder]

Photos are all sideways on my monitor...same on yours?

[Embraer]

Waterford cordial decanter?

[Eric Coffey]

If it's real Irish (Waterford), it will have their name or logo (seahorse) etched somewhere on it. Go over the whole thing slowly with a 10x loupe/magnifier.

[Scott Douglas]

[Scott Douglas]

Lack of a logo is not always a good test. I was examining some of my wife's collection for a logo and she asked what I was doing. Told her looking for a logo to photograph. She said it was an old vase and probably had lost its logo do to age.
I'd google images of Waterford crystal to see if you can find a similar decantor.

[Scott Douglas]

This is what you're looking for.

[911boost]

I found a picture of that linked to Pinterest, but I don't have an account there.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I think your wife is wrong. Some identifying marks might be on the surface and light enough, but....

I'll gladly let you tell her that Zeke.
She's been collecting Waterford for all of our 39+yrs of marriage. She may have even sold some way back in the days of working for May Co. and Robinson's. I know she got some employee deals while at Robinson's.

[masraum]

Milt/Zeke is pretty much spot on.

https://cutglass.org/AboutCutGlass.htm

Let's single out only one decorative technique, explore its demands and scope, and perhaps learn to admire and appreciate the end product. Let's limit our attention to "cut glass", which must be carefully defined. "Cut glass" is glass that has been decorated entirely by hand by use of rotating wheels. Cuts are made in an otherwise completely smooth surface of the glass by artisans holding and moving the piece against various sized metal or stone wheels, to produce a predetermined pleasing pattern. Cutting may be combined with other decorative techniques, but "cut glass" usually refers to a glass object that has been decorated entirely by cutting.

All glass that is to be decorated by cutting requires the addition of up to 40% lead oxide, a chemical that makes ordinary glass soft enough to cut against moving wheels without shattering. Leaded glass is called "crystal". All crystal is a type of glass, but all glass certainly is not properly called crystal.

Cut leaded crystal (or cut glass) has three distinguishing characteristics: a bell-like ring when gently tapped with the finger, a clarity and brilliance unmatched by pressed or molded imitations, and weight noticeably greater than the same sized piece made of unleaded glass. America's Brilliant cut glass is appropriately named, for that is literally what it is. The cutting is brilliant because it is sharp and deep, reflecting light from highly polished surfaces. It is deep because it was made from leaded crystal that was beautiful in its clarity even though thick enough to be cut in high relief. Imaginative designers improved upon traditional motifs, arranging them in varying ways to provide for optimum reflective surfaces. American Brilliant Period cut glass was the end product of talented, resourceful craftsmen who capitalized on new glass technology, using new cutting methods made possible with electric powered cutting tools - all at a time when beautiful handmade articles were more appreciated than their machine made counterparts.

In some respects there is much to learn, for thousands of patterns were cut by hundreds of shops, and only a small percentage has been confidently identified. Some have maker's signatures, others have only wear marks. Some glass was wood-polished, some acid-polished, and it helps to know the difference. Hobstars and fans, strawberry diamonds and flutes, beading and chair caning, are but a few of the motifs that make up American designs, and all need recognition.

We've got some that was from my wife's great grand parents, IIRC. I was supposed to have inherited a bunch from my grandmother, but my grandfather's second wife took it after he died.

Not all of it would have a name/signature.

I think a key to the mystery would be to look at a bunch online and try to figure out what the pattern is.
https://www.brilliantglass.com/a-guide-to-abcg/how-to-identify-a-pattern/

[speeder]

Thank you all!!

And thanks, Scott, for straightening my pictures. It's a nice piece to hold but I don't see any marks on it. I'll look closer. I have a feeling it was something that my dad received as a gift at some point in life, I'm sure that he never used it or displayed it. In fact, I think it was hidden in some cupboard or box or (?)

[MBAtarga]

I'm not sure what a Waterford mark might add to the value, but it would be great if it's worth a couple hundred or so. Here are some that we've got at the house (most belong to the MIL that lives with us.)

[greglepore]

Even if its good crystal, I routinely find it in the secondhand stores here for 25 bucks and less. Its really cool, I love the stuff, but its out of favor. Even waterford now makes cast glass whiskey glasses.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Even if its good crystal, I routinely find it in the secondhand stores here for 25 bucks and less. Its really cool, I love the stuff, but its out of favor. Even waterford now makes cast glass whiskey glasses.

Yeah, a quick look on eBay for Waterford Crystal shows that most decanters are listed for under $100, some closer to $50. And the one I have might not even be that much. Just want to make sure before I leave it at Goodwill. I have a few other items I also need to check.

Thanks for the help, unsurprisingly, there is quite a bit of expertise here!

[Scott Douglas]

Not a problem on the pictures, Denis. Glad to help.

Our collection took a major hit a few years back when one of those sharp up/down earthquakes rolled thru and a shelf in our china cabinet broke under the heavy load of crystal. Sounded like a car wreck had happened and we were surprised when we looked out the front window only to see an empty street. We didn't notice the china cabinet door was slightly ajar until the next day. Major loss to me was a really beautiful apprentice bowl (I think that's what they call it) that was on the shelf and took out almost all that was below it. Yes, crystal is heavy.

[island911]

Do people still seek out leaded containers?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Zeke

It would take some exquisite photography to identify fine crystal over pressed or blown glass.

Some things to identify crystal:

The cuts will not be totally symmetric.

There will be no mold seam on opposite sides.

Many pieces will have rather sharp edges, especially in the very detailed work. Hand cut crystal can cut you.

Crystal is heavier than a comparable glass piece.

Crystal is clearer than glass due to its 24% or higher lead content.

Crystal will most likely produce a prism effect when held up to sunlight (it pretty much has to be real sunlight or a very bright daylight).

Crystal may have a nice 'ring' to it when tapped with a solid object (use a piece of hard plasic or wood). A lot of the ring thing is due to the thinner nature of most crystal — large bowls and decanters will tend to not be thin. A nice thin glass might have a good ring to it as you rub a clean fingertip around the rim. Crystal even more so, but don't use that a single criterion. A necked decanter won't ring.

Waterford will have and acid mark while Lalique is etched and Orrefors will likely be embossed. Bear in mind that there are fakes and companies changed ownership and signatures. Of them all, Waterford has been consistent.

If I had to guess, the decanter above is glass. My first clue was the top. Crystal tops tend to not be glossy where they fit the neck.

Agreed with above... but that does not mean it is not valuable. List it on Ebay as a vintage decanter...and the bidding will indicate value.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I'm not sure what a Waterford mark might add to the value, but it would be great if it's worth a couple hundred or so. Here are some that we've got at the house (most belong to the MIL that lives with us.)

With the swinging tails at our house, this would be an expensive mess to clean up from the floor in short order.