Wilhelm Henry Stiegel's glass collection Part 1

[bostaurus]

Hi Steve. Fascinating bottles. Now could you explain to me the enameling?
Is it true enamel that is baked on? Was it painted on cold glass and then reheated to bake the enamel on? Do you know the temperature required to set the enamel? And finally do you know how they made the enamel paints and what was in them?
I know...I need to get a life.

 

[Steve/sewell]

Hi Melinda (Bostaurus),
The Enamel paint was made out of the following ingredients:The base was silicate of lead.
The colors were obtained by using various metallic oxides and were applied with water or other
liquids as a medium.There were six colors used by Stiegels enameling artists.They were White,yellow,blue,
nile green,brick red and black.The colors were applied without shading,and the black was sparingly used and
seldom for outline purposes ,but to enhance the effect of the design.Enameling used in ceramic and vitreous
art needs to be applied when the vessel is slightly warmer then the medium applied, this way the paint which
is at a lower temperature than the vessel will fuse.Now the glass is placed in the annealing oven and the paint is
subjected to higher temeratures again and the paint will now fuse to the glass completly,while the glass upon
which they rest on is not more than superficially softened.I hope this explains it Melinda.

 

[RED Matthews]

Hello Steve, Thanks for the repeat of your previous posted lesson. The people here are really blessed by your generous giving of knowledge that isn't available to all of us. We are truly fortunate and full of fascination and appreciation of your efforts. THANKS!!
RED Matthews

 

[bostaurus]

Thanks Steve. As a potter I figured that is probably how it worked but you never know. I have seen things described as enameled but really just painted with enamel paint.

 

[KentOhio]

I got one for Christmas, and it's very similar to your bottle #4. Any thoughts on it?

 

[KentOhio]

Side

 

[KentOhio]

Top

 

[potstone]

Thanks for the post Steve. I really enjoy looking at your
Stiegel glass collection. Whats really interesting to me is the
fact that after the closing of the Wistar glass works, Solomon
Stanger blew glass at the Stiegel factory. I often wonder if
any of the techniques of glass blowing and decoration used in the Stiegel factory made their way back to New Jersey in the glass works built by the Stanger family.

 

[Steve/sewell]

Kentohio (Brian) Your bottle is a dead match in Sebastians style.I beleive you have yourself an authenic Stiegel bottle.
You said you got it for Christmas, was it a gift,or do you know where it was purchased from. I truely believe these bottles
stayed where they were made for the most part.I also know there was a large migration of German settlers to Ohio from Pennsylvania.
This was evident in the style of the early glass houses in Ohio that copied the Stiegel and Palatine style of glass making.Congradulations
someone else can now talk about there Stiegel bottles[]Seriously they are a great investment as their rarity makes them highly desirable.

Greg (potstone) how are you doing long time no here.What have you found or purchased recently.
I picked up a couple more Wistar pieces Ill post in due time.

 

[potstone]

Hi Steve, I'm doing well and hope you are also. I would be very interested in seeing your latest acquisitions.