AMERICAN BRILLIANT CUT GLASS PUNCH BOWL RUSSIAN PATTERN

From research, we gather that this Fabulous American Brilliant Period Cut Glass Punch Bowl is from the Dorflinger Glass Factory that was situated in White Mills, Pennsylvania. It measures 13 1/2" Diameter (at the center) by 7 3/4” High. The pattern of this punch bowl is “Russian”, the “Cleveland” variation being the combination of alternating rows of pyramidal stars and clear hobnails. According to research, if this is Dorflinger, he called this pattern “Brilliante”. It was also referred to as “Star & Hobnail”. This brilliant cut glass punch bowl was manufactured circa 1890-1900.

COMMENT: This Fabulous Brilliant Period Cut Glass Punch Bowl is A Dazzler!  This piece deserves the word “Fantastic”! It embodies all the components of what a great piece of cut glass should be. It is cut to pieces with great miter cutting. It is most deserving of a Great Collection! A nice connoisseur piece!

ORIGINS OF THE "RUSSIAN" PATTERN IN BRILLIANT CUT GLASS:

There are four Russian patterns, namely (1) Russian Canterbury, (2) Russian Cleveland, (3) Russian Ambassador and (4) Russian- Persian Variation, called “Brilliante” by Dorflinger.

“The name “Russian” resulted from a series of incidents. In St. Petersburg around 1880, a United States ambassador bet a Russian nobleman that the Americans produced the finest cut glass in the world. To prove his statement, the ambassador ordered pieces of cut glass from Richard Briggs, an agent. On July 20, 1882, Phillip McDonald patented a heavy cut glass pattern for Hawkes. Briggs selected this pattern from Hawkes to send to Russia. When the pieces arrived, the nobleman took one look and, without hesitation, paid his bet.

In 1885 the Imperial Russian Embassy in Washington ordered a complete banquet service in this pattern. In that year, too, the American Embassy in St. Petersburg bought a state dinner service in this particular pattern. Because of these orders, the pattern became known as “Russian” and appeared under this name in catalogues by Hawkes and other companies.

In 1886, the White House ordered a dinner service in “Russian” with an engraved seal of the United States”. (Cit. Pg. 26, Reflections on American Brilliant Cut Glass” by Bill & Louise Boggess, Pub. Schiffer Pub. Ltd., cpyrt.1995)

From researching through reading and illustrations, we most probably have a piece produced by Dorflinger.

HISTORY OF DORFLINGER GLASS

The Dorflinger Bros. were French immigrants who began manufacturing glass in Brooklyn, New York with a company known as Long Island Flint Glass Works. By 1861, they were in a new glass company, the Greenpoint Flint Glass Works. In 1862, Christian Dorflinger established the Wayne County Glass Company, White Hills, Pennsylvania. In 1870, it became known as C. Dorflinger & Sons. Christian Dorflinger died in 1915 and left his sons to continue the business. But as with many successful companies, the ravages of WW I took its tole on them as well as many other great American glass factories, and they too had to close. The doors to the Dorflinger factory apparently closed in 1921. Like Gorham, Libbey and Hawkes, the Dorflinger factory produced quit a large percentage of glass for the United States, probably up to 25% of glass produced.

We do know from reading that their notoriety was gained because The White House had made commissioned orders from them for various presidents, namely President Benjamin Harrison (President from 1889-1893), President Theodore Roosevelt (President from 1901-1909), and President Grover Cleveland (President from 1885-1889 and from 1893-1897).  Such high commissioned work certainly was a testament to the craftsmanship and desirability of their work and made them world renowned as a premier glass factory.

Today we have a museum dedicated to the memory of Dorflinger and his magnificent glass situated in White Hills, Pennsylvania.

Should you wish to read a more in-depth history about The Dorflingers, I recommend: Pages 266-281 of “American Cut & Engraved Glass” by Albert Christian Revi, edition 1967, Schiffer Pub. Ltd.

With this in-depth description and pertinent information, I think I have offered you vital information to make a wise decision about this lovely cut glass punch bowl.

CONDITION: BTEF condition. It is in great condition except for a very minute flea bite on the rim which is barely noticeable unless pointed out.