An Introduction to Canadian Brilliant
Period Glass
by Christopher and Marie Kierkus
A Sugar and Creamer Signed “Dingwall”
This small sugar and creamer set (circa 1905) is cut
in a simple hobstar pattern; however, the quality of the
glass and the workmanship is the best we have seen on
a Canadian piece. It is comparable to the best
American brilliant period glass. It is signed by
Dingwall, an agent for the Gundy-Clapperton company.
(retail
value: $150)
Many antique glass enthusiasts
are familiar with the “American Brilliant Period” (ABP) of cut and
engraved glass. A two-part article describing this style of
glassware can be found in the back issues on this website. The ABP
lasted from approximately 1880 to 1920. It was part of an
extravagant style of decorative arts introduced by Victorian era
millionaires. These individuals were eager to demonstrate their
wealth and power by acquiring and displaying a variety of
spectacular objects. Collectors of ABP glass are no doubt familiar
with names like Dorflinger, Libbey, Hawkes, Hoare and Clark. These
firms produced some of the finest cut and engraved glass in
history. However, few collectors know much about companies like
Gundy-Clapperton, Roden Brothers, Gowans-Kent and the House of Birks.
These Canadian firms produced or distributed glassware that rivaled
ABP products. The goal of this article is to introduce the reader
to Canadian Brilliant Period (CBP) glass. We would like to show
that CBP products are also worthwhile collectables.
A Leaf Shaped Nappy Signed “Gundy-Clapperton”
This leaf shaped “nappy” (or candy dish) is marked
with the post-1920 version of the Gundy-Clapperton Signature
(the letter “C” inside a shamrock). It illustrates
that Canadian companies continued to cut purely geometric
designs long after most American firms had
discontinued the practice. This is a mediocre quality piece
that has a few chips, however, the interesting shape
gives it a moderate value.
(retail
value: $60)
Prominent Canadian Brilliant Cut Glass Companies
There are four prominent producers and distributors of CBP glass
that the collector should be aware of. Unlike some American firms
(like Libbey, Dorflinger and Hawkes), Canadian firms did not
manufacture their own blanks: they imported blanks from the United
States and Europe. Canadian glass patterns tend to closely resemble
those cut by American companies, although, because most Canadian
firms were founded later than American firms, they tended to be
slightly “behind the times”. For instance, most American firms
stopped cutting geometric designs by 1910; however, some Canadian
companies continued to do so well into the 1920’s.
A Small Dish Signed “Birks”
This small hobstar and fan pattern dish (circa 1915)
is signed by the House of Birks.
It is acid polished and cut on a mediocre quality
blank.
(retail
value: $40)
The Gundy-Clapperton Company
This is the most well known
Canadian firm. It was founded in 1905 by C.H. Clapperton, a glass
cutter who had previously worked for the Libbey Glass Company in
Toledo, Ohio. Clapperton was joined by N.F. Gundy approximately one
year later. The Gundy-Clapperton company operated in Toronto from
1905 until 1931. Pieces made by this company were usually signed
with a shamrock containing either “G, C and Co” (prior to 1920) or
simply “C”. The words “DINGWALL”, “G B ALLEN VANCOUVER” or “Birks”
(inside a diamond) sometimes accompany the company mark. Gundy-Clapperton
made both geometric pieces (which frequently resembled Libbey
products) and high quality “intaglio” pieces. There is evidence
that this company continued to hand polish some of their products as
late as 1913, by which time most American firms had switched to the
cheaper, but less effective, acid polishing technique.
An 8” Fruit Bowl Signed “Roden Brothers”
This hobstar and fan bowl is signed by the maker and
dates circa 1905. The glass and the cutting
are both high quality. It has a sizable chip on the
left side which reduces its value by about 50%.
(retail
value: $70)
The Roden Brothers Company
This firm was founded in Montreal in 1879 as a jewelry and
silversmith company. Around the year 1900, they opened glass
cutting shops in Toronto and London. Early Roden Brothers objects
were signed “Port & Markle” (inside a circle) while later items were
marked with a gothic style “R” flanked by two lions. This company
made both high quality geometric pieces and mediocre quality floral
pieces.
The Gowans-Kent Company
We were unable to uncover a
great deal of information about this Toronto based firm; although it
appears that it was founded just prior to the turn of the 20th
Century. Gowans-Kent pieces were marked with the word “Elite”
inside a Maple Leaf and Circle. We have seen both purely geometric
and floral-geometric items manufactured by this company. The
quality of the glass appears to be excellent on all of their
pieces.
A Small Dish Signed “Gowans Kent”
This small dish (circa 1900) is signed with word
“Elite” inside an encircled maple leaf.
It is decorated with a simple hobstar and fan pattern
but it is hand polished and cut on a high quality blank.
(retail value: $75)
The House of Birks
To the best of our knowledge,
the House of Birks did not manufacture brilliant period glass.
However, the word “Birks” (inside a diamond) appears on many CBP
items (either by itself or in combination with signatures used by
the other companies). The House of Birks was a jewelry company that
distributed CBP glass in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. As such, it was much like the American distributor, C.G.
Alford and Company, which used a similar signature (the word
“Alford” inside a diamond).
An 11” Tall Floral Pattern Bridal Basket Signed
“Roden Brothers”
The simple floral decorations on this piece suggest
that it dates from the late brilliant period (circa 1920).
Bridal baskets are a relatively uncommon item.
Moreover, the basket is signed and is in excellent condition,
these features give it a substantial value.
(retail
value: $175)
Concluding Comments
We hope that this article has
piqued your interest in CBP glass. We have found that Canadian
antique malls are fantastic places to hunt for “bargain treasures”.
We have traveled throughout New England and the American Midwest in
search of brilliant period glass and have found that prices tend to
be about 50% higher than in Southern Ontario (taking the current
exchange rate into consideration). Admittedly, the selection tends
to be better “South of the border”. Most brilliant period glass is
sold close to where it was originally produced (for instance, Ohio
is a great place to shop for Libbey glass, Central New York for
items made by Hawkes, and Pennsylvania for Doflinger pieces).
However, if you want to add a few pieces of CBP glass to your
collection a trip to an Ontario antique mall would probably be your
best bet. Happy hunting!
NOTE: From Nicole - or
contact us for your CBP Canadian or American glass
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