GOWANS & KENT, BRILLIANT CUT GLASS LOW BOWL, C. 1905
GOWANS & KENT, SIGNED “ELITE”, CANADIAN BRILLIANT CUT GLASS LOW BOWL, 8" DIAMETER X 2" DEPTH/HEIGHT, 8 POINTS & STARBURST APEXES, CIRCA 1905
Click Image to Enlarge
Click Image to Enlarge
ITEM NUMBER: PFTP000216
PRICE: $375.00
This Absolutely Fabulous Canadian Brilliant Period Cut Glass Low Bowl measures 8” Diameter By 2” Depth/Height. It carries the signature for the Company of Gowans & Kent. The logo is the word “ELITE” inside a Maple Leaf. This company apparently began in Toronto, Ontario circa 1900-1918. The bowl has an exquisitely cut 8 point star bottom with a starburst at each apex. It has an internal 16 point hobstar at the center of the bottom within a larger 8 point star which consists of smaller hobstars, strawberry diamonds and cross hatching. The blank is of great clarity.
COMMENT: This Brilliant Cut Glass Low Bowl is An Absolute Gem! Worthy of any Canadian Museum Collection to represent our great Canadian Glass! For that matter, this Jewel of A Bowl would add respect to any Brilliant Cut Glass Collection.
HISTORY OF GOWANS & KENT GLASS COMPANY
This Company, Gowans and Kent began their partnership in Toronto circa 1900 and lasted until 1918. Of course, we all know that after WW I most companies went under, even in the United States. As we know, Canada did not have a large amount of factories producing this caliber of glass. In the history, we only have (1) Gowans & Kent, circa 1900-1918, (2) Gundy & Clapperton, circa 1906-1931, (3) Roden Brothers, circa 1879-1900 in Montreal, and afterward from 1900-1954 in London, Ontario; and from 1900-1954 in Toronto, Ontario. As for Montreal, we had (1) George Phillips, circa 1904-1971, who came in from the United States and opened shop, (2) Henry Birks, known as the “House of Birks” from 1879 to the present and (3) Pairpoint Corporation circa 1900-1930.
Unfortunately, Canadians are not the researchers that Americans are in terms of this specific glass category, being that of “cut glass”. To date, we do not, to my knowledge, have much information about our cut glass manufacturers as we should have. It is somewhat unfortunate because the companies that we did have did some absolutely fabulous work that is most definitely comparable with any of the American factories.
The work of Gowans & Kent and Gundy & Clapperton is impeccable in terms of their shapes, patterns and geometric cutting on beautiful clear blanks. Of course like all companies toward the end, when labor costs were rising, the cost and scarcity of lead becoming the main issue… the quality of patterns started to slide to compensate. However at their apex, these two companies and Phillips of Montreal were absolutely the "cream of the cream" in terms of their creations.
CONDITION: BTEF condition! Fabulous cutting! Great clarity of blank!
ITEM NUMBER: PFTP000216
PRICE: $375.00
To purchase this item, please make note of the Item Number: PFTP000216 and contact us using our order form or call us at 1-416-535-3883.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SHIPPING:
Please call 1-416-535-3883 or contact us using our contact form for shipping rates prior to purchasing items that have a total invoice amount of $2500.00 and over (Jewelry items with total invoice amount of $500.00 or over outside Canada). Items with total invoice amount of $2500.00 and over (Jewelry $500.00 and over outside Canada) has to be shipped through special delivery in order to guarantee compensation, protect against breakage and loss. Special arrangements will be made to guarantee a secure and safe delivery.
