Victorian Relish Compote?

[ghopper1924]

Hey all:

Just bought this at an estate sale in Missouri. It appears to be a Victorian relish compote, at least that's a guess. The hobnail glass bowl shades from clear at the bottom to cranberry at the top. It is 5 1/2" in diameter and 3" tall. The whole assembly, with the wire basket, is 7" tall. "E.P.N.S." is imprinted on the back of the spoon and on the underside of the wire cradle that holds the bowl. The silver plate has worn down to the nickel on the spoon, but is still there in abundance on the basket. The spoon is rather spade-shaped and pointed, suitable for "spearing" things like pickles or spooning things like jelly.

My opinion on this is: American made ca. 1890. I've never seen one like it but don't think it's too valuable. How about $50.00 replacement for insurance purposes?

[frogpatch]

Beautiful piece. I am sure you know that EPNS mens electroplated nickel silver. I agree on the date. I can't guess the value on these things anymore. I see it in a shop for 125.00 and a dealer offering one third of that. Just a once educated guess. Nice to see you again ghopper.

[ghopper1924]

Hey Frogpatch, good to see you as well!

Yes, I did know about the E.P.N.S. acronym. I'm willing to entertain any and all estimations as to value. $50.00 is more than I paid for it, but may be accurate for replacement? I really don't know. I do know that I've never see one like it in all my years of collecting. The utilitarian wire basket combined with the extravagant hobnail bowl says "Victorian" to me, kind of steampunk-ish in a way.

[mart]

Yes its Victorian,, and Frogpatch is right on the value  !!  !890 to 1910 about !! Remember that insurance value is replacement value !!  Can you find another one,, and if you can what would you have to pay for it ??  I have not seen this type of pattern before !! Fenton was known for the hobnail patterns but this looks different from theirs !!

[SophieMarie]

I'm thinking your lovely relish dish was manufactured by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company (1863-1891).

Hobbs, Brockunier and Company was organized in 1863 as a co-partnership between John L. Hobbs, son John H. Hobbs, and Charles W. Brockunier. Its products were mostly pressed and blown tableware.

In 1891, the Hobbs glass works joined the United States Glass Company trust. The trust controlled over a dozen glass plants. In 1893, the glass works was closed. It remained closed until 1902 when the property was sold to Harry Northwood—a former employee of J. H. Hobbs, Bruckunier and Company.  More about the company history may be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._H._Hobbs,_Brockunier_and_Company

Although; I did not find your relish dish, I wanted you to see the similarities to this hobnail sauce dish.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/10007306?epik=0sXIdEvIWn5J-

And, again take a look at this celery vase:

https://www.cmog.org/artwork/celery-holder?page=31&query=&category=Early%20American&sort=bs_has_image%20desc,score%20desc,bs_on_display%20desc&goto=node/51200&filter=%22bundle:artwork%22&object=380

Here are also more examples of Hobbs, Brockunier and Company cranberry examples if you are bored

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Hobbs+Brockunier+Cranberry&FORM=IDINTSitems here

You may view some of the asking prices for some of the glass tableware in the following link.  But, I have to say that your relish dish/stand/spoon are unique.  And, you have all the pieces...so, I think $50.00 is to low!

http://mall.askjot.com/i/hobbs-hobnail

[ghopper1924]

Wow, an excellent job as usual, SophieMarie! Another karma point for you!! You should be in the research department of a firm like Sotheby's.

Good to know that at least I had the date right That sauce dish is almost identical, and makes a good case on its own.

So maybe $50 is too low. It may take $100 to find another one, but frankly I doubt that I would ever come up with this exact set again. Better take good care of this one....

[mart]

Don`t put it less than $125.!!

[SophieMarie]

You should be in the research department of a firm like Sotheby's.

Thanks, I would love that!

[ghopper1924]

Don`t put it less than $125.!!

Sounds like a winner!