Moser Cranberry "nut cup" pinkish color, gold, and enamel

[Lucy D]

The attachments show what was told to me to be a "nut cup."  It looks like what I see in the Bohemian glassware category  but the color is pink and it is very thin coat so that you can see very well through it.  The top half is thick gold with 3 enamel forget me not flowers and leaves painted on the gold (blue, yellow, and purple flowers). 

There are no markings to help me identify it.  I have asked other antique dealers I work with but they have never seen anything like it.  I have searched the internet, Ruby Lane, Kovels, even Ebay and not come across anything identified as a "nut cup."

The woman that gave it to me said it was used for fine dining when she held dinner parties and that it was old.  She was a long time collector.  I am not able to ask her for details.

I have searched and think it is close if not part of Moser Bohemian Cranberry glassware.   

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[mart]

http://antiques.about.com/cs/artglass/a/aa022404.htm

Here is a sample of Moser cranberry !! Yours can be classed as Bohemian but its not Moser !! Sorry to say I don`t see the same quality in your piece as the Moser glassware !!  There are many different types of glassware similar to yours !!

[Lucy D]

Thank you for your reply. I agree it doesn't meet the high quality of Moser.  She said it was a nut cup but I find none online for any manufacturer.  Any suggestion on time period?

[mart]

Actually I was trying to decide if that's what it is !! The flared top makes me think another use !! But let me check on a few things !!

[Rauville]

I've never used one (that's what they make pant legs for isn't it? ), but it might have came with an underplate and was intended as a "Finger Bowl".

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10165469

[Lucy D]

I have to give you measurements.  The top edge measures 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" tall. I have 8 in a set.  The lady said they were bought for a time when they used "nut cups" at the dining table.  I will venture a guess of 1950ish.  Does that help?

[mart]

No !!  They were past all that in the 50`s !! More 30`s or 40`s !!

Only if you have a cuff on those pants,, Rauville !!

[mart]

Just wondering,,have you tried using this cup ??  Put something small in the bottom and see how easily you can get it with your fingers !!  May be a nut set but that shape is not what is normally seen !!  Maybe KC will take a look tomorrow !!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

[KC]

These remind me of individual salt cellars or bud vases. 

You don't usually see something this small that the neck goes in and then flares out for a piece that you are putting your fingers in (this you would have to use one hand to pick up and pour into the other hand - then pick up with the first hand to politely place in the mouth).  In 50's to 60's they still had salt dishes at fine dining.  (Now I know some of you would say to simply pour the nuts into your mouth...but that wasn't proper etiquette!)

Look at the dimensions of this piece and notice the shape:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Louis-Comfort-Tiffany-Favrile-Iridescent-Art-Glass-Salt-Cellar-Marked-LCT-/350992331402

Granted she used these for nuts ( and I would have also) but nut sets were open and typically with flared sides or straight sides.

[cogar]

My first thought was that it has a "drip" catching rim ... and/or the shape of a "spitoon".

Yup, there was such an animal.

Victorian Blue Opalescent Piasa Bird Spittoon
http://www.rubylane.com/item/868459-10201343/Victorian-Blue-Opalescent-Piasa-Bird

[mart]

That's what I thought too KC !! Individual flower vase !! Even as a salt cellar seems to be wrong/odd shape !! Didn`t think about that Cogar !! It is shaped like a spittoon !!

[Lucy D]

Wow you fellow antique lovers are too cool!  Great idea about the spittoon I will definitely check out those links!  Oh dear, do I dare share this with her ~

I have 8 of them in a set to sell, where would you recommend a price point?

[mart]

Its not unusual that items are used for a different purpose !! My thought is that they were individual vases for just a single flower with a short stem !! But anything is possible !! I think I would keep it to yourself till we get a better idea of true purpose !! Hard to give a value until we know what they are !!

[Lucy D]

I will wait and confirm as you suggest before I post these lovelies on my website.  I do see with a magnifying glass that there is a faint pontil mark on the bottom.  I will check the others.

How would I get them appraised?  Who would I look for?  Would a jeweler be able to weigh the gold?  The pictures were taken with a super macro lens so you don't see the great detail with the naked eye as the photos show.  They are beautiful.  The raised gold trim is actually textured and the other gold around it is smooth overlay.  The cranberry color almost looks like a painted on wash.  Not like flashed paint but a color that is in the glass itself.  Does that sound right?

I now see many on the internet but none that have the gold overlay and enamel flowers.  Price seems to be up in the air still.

[Lucy D]

I have 2 more pictures.  I went to the basement to check the other cups I have and found 8 more AND 2 little purple and gold with enamel flower jugs!
One of the cups did have a name on it, WIEN, written in gold.  I also just spoke to the lady that gave these to me and she said they came from her friends estate sale.  She thought they were from Austria as she traveled there.  And that they were from the victorian era.

Hope this helps to ID these lovely items!