Hi Histarch

I have an anomalous glass object among a collection of artefacts from the
shipwreck Loch Ard (1878).  The artefact is the base of a small vase (or
perhaps a sorbet glass, as one colleague has suggested). A single seam
identifies a two piece mould. The strangest attribute of this object is its
fabric - it is a very bright (almost fluorescent) lime green and has a
matte finish.  The fabric (and colour) is a consistent opaque fine grain
(ie no glaze evident, hence it does not appear to be ceramic, no whitening
around the edges).  There are no maker's marks.  The artefact has some iron
staining marks (being in association with iron object ie a ship such as the
Loch Ard). It is possible that the 'matte' finish of the fabric is the
result of sand abrasion.

I have not had any success searching for information about this type of
glass. Fenton glass came to mind after a weekend wandering around country
antique stores, however my research has not located examples of Fenton
glass in this colour; in addition, Fenton is too late for this shipwreck
(began production 1905?). I have not tested the object under UV light, but
the colour also does not appear to be that of uranium glass (this is
exceptionally green).

I am increasingly suspicious that this artefact is not in fact associated
with Loch Ard. Does anyone have suggestions for me? I have a sketch & a
black & white photograph of the artefact that I can send if anyone would
like to see it. Isn't it typical that we don't have a colour photograph?

Kind Regards


Cassandra



** feel free to reply off-list to reduce unnecessary e-traffic...


Cassandra Philippou
Maritime Heritage Unit
Heritage Victoria
Level 22, Nauru House
80 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Victoria
Ph:   03 9655 9752
Fax:  03 9655 9720
www.heritage.vic.gov.au
www.aima.iinet.net.au




**********************************************************************
Any personal or sensitive information contained in this email and
attachments must be handled in accordance with the Victorian Information
Privacy Act 2000, the Health Records Act 2001 or the Privacy Act 1988
(Commonwealth), as applicable.

This email, including all attachments, is confidential.  If you are not the
intended recipient, you must not disclose, distribute, copy or use the
information contained in this email or attachments.  Any confidentiality or
privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in
error.  If you have received it in error, please let us know by reply
email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies.
**********************************************************************