A Rare "Harlequin" Weight

Although further confirmation is required, I am currently 95% confident that the weight shown here is a rare item made by Paul Ysart in the 1930s (or perhaps later, but before 1963). It was found at a Fair in the UK, labelled as "Continental Paperweight".

The label description was understandable and probably only a keen collector of Scottish paperweights, or a specialist dealer, may have thought otherwise. Many examples of "German / Bohemian / Silesian" weights with layered bubble designs are known. The main difference between those and this example is that this one has a much better setting and overall quality.

If my attribution proves to be incorrect, this page will updated with all relevant information. In any event the page is planned to be retained as a source of comparison for any similar items that may be found.

At 90 mm (3.54 inch) diameter, and 74 mm (2.91 inch) height, this weight falls into the Magnum category. It is a "Triple Harlequin" design, with coloured glass bits and gold aventurine in three layers, each on a thin white ground. There is a central bubble with four peripheral bubbles to each of the upper two layers.

This close up of the "bits" clearly shows that the structure has (virtually) no discernible canes or part canes, a fact which makes positive identification more difficult than usual. However, the inclusion of the bright pieces of gold aventurine helps to tie it in to other known "Ysart" items. There is, in fact, one small piece of "twist cane" - not easy to photograph - which is also indicative of the "Ysart" attribution.

In profile, the separate layers are clearly seen, as are the four "legs" around the central column, reaching down to the layer below. The lowest layer has hardly any indentations at the point of contact by the "legs" above it, and although regular Harlequin weights usually show this feature, its absence here is not a problem.

Also seen is the dark tint to the main glass which, under UV light, fluoresces identically to other early Ysart items. In the base view, the thin white layering supporting the coloured bits is very obvious, but the photo shows it as bright white whereas, in normal daylight, it is slightly grey. The base is ground flat and polished - a feature consistent with many known Paul Ysart items.

[For an example of one of only three "Triple Harlequin" weights made at Caithness Glass in 1970, during Paul Ysart's time as training officer, click here for Colin Terris's "Ysart" site and then click on the link: "Patience Rewarded".]