Early Edinburgh Crystal Lead Crystal Thistle Vase, 21cm, c.1910

Early Edinburgh Crystal hand-cut lead crystal vase in the thistle pattern. The bulbous base of the bowl is faceted to resemble a thistle bract, while the fluted middle resembles an unopened flower. Thistle leaves wave round the gently flared top. The stem has a faceted knop and the base is star cut. The vase is unmarked as was often the case with early pieces.

This vase is of exceptional quality and is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or scratches and minimal wear on the foot. There is one air bubble, which shows it is hand-blown.

The thistle pattern was first introduced in 1896. This is an early example as seen by the leaves which have been copper wheel engraved in a continuous band. After WW1 the company started making knopless glasses with individual thistle plants which have been sandblasted on using a template (pattern H828).

Edinburgh Crystal started life as the Edinburgh and Leith Flint Glassworks in 1867. It became the Edinburgh Crystal Company in 1955 and moved to Penicuik, just outside Edinburgh. It went into administration in 2006 and although it was bought over by Waterford Crystal, production stopped when Waterford Crystal itself got into trouble. The thistle pattern is its most highly sought-after pattern.