PRESSED SANDWICH OPEN-WORK PAIR OF FRUIT BASKETS ON STANDARD, brilliant deep amethyst, each having a bowl with a flared 32-point rim above 16 vertical staves, and a 34-point star under the slumped conical base, raised on a flared hexagonal base with compressed knop, wafer construction. Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. 1840-1855. 8 1/8" and 8 1/4" H, 8 1/2" D rims, 5 1/4" DOA feet.
Literature: Barlow/Kaiser - The Glass Industry in Sandwich, Vol. 1, p. 145, fig. 1126. Like Bourne - The William J. Elsholz Collection, Vol. 1, p. 91, lot 354. Palmer - Glass in Early America, p. 244, fig. 209.
Provenance: Glass deaccessioned by Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT. All proceeds will go toward the museum's Collections Acquisition Fund.
Ex-collection of Channing Hare.
Catalogue Note: These fruit baskets represent an iconic and important example of American pressed glass, and in the best possible condition.
(UPDATED) Tallest example undamaged as made, shortest example with a 3/8" crack across the upper edge of one stave bridge. Each having scattered annealing lines, especially to the openwork, and roughness in association with the snap-ring to the interior of the foot, all as made.