Paul Ysart Paperweights
Basal Features

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Flat Polished

Some people have queried the use of flat polished bases for early Paul Ysart work. From this selection of signed or labelled items, the first six of the eight items are pre-Caithness period. What seems to be true across all periods is that where the base can be seen through the design, it will normally be flat polished. But there are examples below to show that this feature was also used with a solid ground.

1930s	1930s	1946
1940s	1940s	1950s
1960s		1960s

Ground Pontil Area

I believe that ground out pontil areas in Paul Ysart weights are relatively uncommon - by far the majority of items have an unfinished mark. When grinding does occur, the form varies but is always very tidy.

1930s

1940s

1970s

With Pontil Marks

In this table, a variety of forms of pontil mark are shown, including "button" and "crunchy", both of which are quite common. Perhaps one of the most interesting, and unusual features for a paperweight, is that shown for the 1940s item with the low foot - the pontil is finished in the manner for general Monart vases etc.

It is reported in various literature that "thin radial stress lines" around the pontil mark are one of the factors that help to identify early Paul Ysart work. There is some truth in this, but radial stress lines are not always to be found or are only barely visible - the 1930s items below have almost no evidence of this feature. The 1940s piece has "thin ridges" rather than "stress lines" and the 1960s weight has no lines at all. Only the 1970s item shows the feature to any great degree.

Note that the 1950s item with a Monart label does have a "button" pontil mark beneath, probably similar to those seen in the neighbouring pieces to the right and below. I have made no attempt to remove the label - my curiosity about the pontil finish does not stretch that far!

1930s	1930s	1930s
1940s	1950s	1960s
	1970s

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