Friday, January 2, 2009

Reflecting on Candlesticks

The end of another year. As with so many other holidays, I raised my glass in a silent toast to my paternal grandparents who are no longer with us. I am not sure when I started the traditional gesture, but I have done it long enough that my husband and kids no longer ask what I am doing. My grandparents have both been gone almost 20 years….and I still miss them both.

The following picture is of two candlesticks that were once my grandparents. They were among some of the things my dad gave me that were once theirs. They are two of my most treasured items in my house.

G'mom candlesticks

I took a break from my Christmas un-decorating and cleaning to sit down and admire them. I wish I had thought to ask my grandmother about them. They were usually on the dining room sideboard at my grandparents house. Were they a wedding gift? Were they my great-grandparents? They are priceless (to me)because they were my grandparents.

Here is a close-up of the detail on the larger one…

candlestick detail

I would LOVE to know more about the candlesticks (when/where they were made, etc)… …

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas?

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19 comments:

  1. Susan, I'm not the world's best with glass/crystal, but from the etching on them, they look as if they could be Fostoria. I would think they are probably from the the first quarter or possibly the early second quarter of the Twentieth Century. When were your grandparents married? Possibly around the 1920's?

    I'm betting they were a wedding gift. Just a hunch. I can see why you love them.

    I cherish the things that belonged to my grandparents, too, and I understand perfectly why you toast them. Every time I decorate my tree, I am reminded of my parents and grandparents, and it makes me feel so close to them though they are all gone now.

    You might want to go on eBay, type in Fostoria candlestick or candle and see what comes up. You might find something similar on there. :-)

    Good luck with the identification proces.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. I agree with "Magpie" they could be Fostoria, Heisey, or any of those wonderful glassmakers of the early 20th century. They are beautiful. I, too, cherish those things that my grandmothers and great-grandmothers cherished during their lifetimes! Enjoy your day. Sally

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  3. Hi -
    I discovered your blog recently, and enjoy reading it as time permits.

    I believe your larger candlestick was made by Cambridge Glass Company, and is their Rose Point pattern. It was produced from approx. 1935-1954.

    I purchased a book called "Elegant Glass" by Debbie and Randy Coe several years ago in an attempt to identify a similar piece received from my grandmother. (Mine is Cambridge's Portia.) The book has pictures of various pieces made in your pattern, mine, and a host of others.

    I haven't identified your smaller piece as yet, but I'll let you know if I do.

    Enjoy your day.

    Debbie

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  4. I should have asked in my previous comment -

    The smaller piece does not appear to have etching on it. Is that correct?

    Magpie's recommendation to check eBay is a good one. Be careful though ... you'll end up wanting more and more pieces to go with your lovely candlesticks (I speak from experience!).

    Debbie

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  5. I can't help you with what kind of glass that is, but I think it's a lovely tradition that you toast your grandparents that way. I have some things from each of my grandmothers and they are precious to me - a teacup, a scarf and bobby pins, that type of thing and I love them!!
    What a great post!

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  6. WOW... Thanks Debbie!
    I can't believe it... in less than 2 hours (when I posted) you have identified one of the two candlesticks! (AMAZING)

    The smaller piece doesn't have any etching... just fingerprints from the dust and holidays (I should have taken a picture AFTER I cleaned them!)

    Thanks again Debbie...you are amazing...
    Susan

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  7. Wow, those are just stunning, Susan! I love them. You might try contacting Replacements.com & see if they can help you with the makers name & dating them.

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  8. You're welcome. It helps to have a book. :)

    I think your smaller piece is the Crystolite pattern by A.H.Heisey & Co. It was produced from 1937-57. I'm not as sure of this one, though ... maybe you could check on eBay when you have time and see if it looks like a match to you.

    I just read something about your Cambridge piece: "The beauty of the delicate roses surrounding a medallion with more roses was very popular with brides and it became known as the Wedding Crystal. This etched pattern was designed to harmonize with Wallace "Rose Point" sterling silver (flatware & serving pieces) and the Pope-Gosser China."

    Back to housework. :(
    Deb

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  9. Very pretty Susan and I am so glad to see Debbie could help you..and a Toast to you for sharing these...hugs and smiles Gloria

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  10. Sorry, can't help you, just wanted to tell you your candlesticks are beautiful. I too have some pieces from my Great Grandmother that I know nothing about. I so wish I knew how she came about getting the pieces.

    Love the tradition of toasting them. My Grandfather has been gone for about 10 years and there are still times that I want to call him and ask a question.

    Wendy

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  11. Greetings..i am happy that you have found out info on your pieces, isn't the blog land glorious!?

    here at home, i keep a journal, that i write about my pieces...love of home, here at The Painted Nest...

    my Nanny did it for my MOM and hers before her, we are blessed to have such a treasure...
    Indeed it is never to late to start!

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  12. VERY PRETTY ETCHINGS AND SO SWEET THAT THEY HAVE SPECIAL MEANING. I'M GLAD DEBBIE COULD HELP YOU WITH AN ANSWER. :)

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  13. These are beautiful! Debbie rocks too! When I'm questioning some of mom's treasures, I check ebay then head off to the book store & sit & read. Of course, that was before blogging. ☺ Diane

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  14. A lot of the Heisey pieces are marked with an H within a diamond shape. It is usually difficult to see the mark, and some of the pieces aren't marked. I would look on the single candleholder because it looks like Heisey.

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  15. Susan, your candlesticks are beautiful. It looks like you've had alot of help with the origin. whatever the origin, like you say they are a priceless heirloom from your grandparents. You're so right, those mice are sure pesky little things..lol
    hugs ~lynne~

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  16. I don't have any insight on them but they are beautiful and indeed priceless.

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  17. Hi Susan...Love the candlesticks. Looks like something my mom had from her wedding 1948. It is sorta an etched glass. I would look in some books from that era...or try ebay. Sometimes you can find the item on there and it gives you an idea of what it is. Thanks for saying hi today. Have a great weekend.

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  18. Ceekay here again...I see now that they are Cambridge. I looked it up also. I knew I had seen that pattern or close to it before. Beautiful!!

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  19. They are beautiful, and I totally get why you treasure them! Have you checked Ebay? Sometimes when items are listed, an antique dealer will post info. regarding the items age. You'd probably have to check fairly often, but something would probably show up eventually.

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