American Cut Glass - Rims: Introduction

Rim Treatments

Introduction

The following drawings, taken from Warren (1981, p. 243), illustrate two simple rim styles. Only a straight rim is simpler. The rim on the left consists entirely of scallops, while the other rim is entirely made up of inverted scallops.

The individual scallops of each style -- both of which were in use by the beginning of the nineteenth century -- can be found in a large range of sizes. When they are superimposed on a larger scallop they are usually called serrations (or "teeth"). Serrations produced during the American brilliant period often have the form illustrated below. Note their blunted shape which is characteristic of this period. Small, pointed serrations, which one often finds today, are typical of modern, imported cut glass. American serrations are also bevelled, as illustrated, with the bevelling occurring on the cut side (the "outside") of the blank (note 1).

On authentic American cut glass the "teeth" are almost always hand-cut; however, after c1905 they were sometimes formed in molds. These imitations can be detected by noting the extreme regularity of the serrations. Even if formed in a mold, however, serrations will usually have the hand-cut bevel which is nearly universal on cut glass of this period.

The files that follow consider four rim treatments, or styles, that are frequently encountered: the fan scallop, the cornered rim, crenellated and castellated rims, and the U-notched rim as used by T. G. Hawkes & Company and cutting shops founded by his former employees.

NOTE:

1. [Chervenka, Mark], 1997: Avoiding new cut glass, Antique & Collectors Reproduction News, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 13-19, 24 (Feb).

Updated 12 Apr 2003