Early Shaft & Globe

[daltonbottles]

Here is a very early black glass form that you don't often see, much less for sale on eBay. (not my auction)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ENGLISH-SHAFT-GLOBE-WINE-BOTTLE-c-1660-SHORT-NECK-/370412056625?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectables_Bottle_Pots_ET&hash=item563e477031

 

[Steve/sewell]

Hi Dalton, the starting price seems high,he would probably get some bids if he lowered that.Is it as rare as he states?

 

[daltonbottles]

Hi Steve,

Yes, all early shaft & globe bottles are rare, regardless of their size. I think he was pointing out the odd "shortness" of this one, but it sure does have a lot of surface vitrification. The two long open bubbles sure don't add to its appeal either. The taller bottle he shows for comparison is by far the better piece. Nice shaft & globes regularly bring $4000 and (mostly) up at auction, and a nice handled one brought something like 22,000 pounds (U$ 34,000) a couple of years back. These just don't show up for sale very often, and there is always a big demand for them with black glass collectors the world over. The big challenge is finding a truly nice S&G without any problems, something you would expect of glass 350 years old. A nice handled S&G with a dated seal would amount to the holy grail of black glass collectors.

 

[orlandomagic]

Personally, I think iridisence to the surface sometimes adds to the character of a really old bottle. Not always - sometimes takes away from the beauty. I guess that's very much a matter of taste. I like both the full gloss bottles and those with iridisence, as long as it looks nice in my eyes, and I kind of have two collections of early glass - the shiny and glossy ones, and those with a colorful surface.