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Libbey STRATFORD pattern from the Early Period, Highest Quality, Precision Cutting
The bowlis a Diamond shape -- not a square -- although at first glance, that is what the eye wants to do. But, ifviewed as a square, nothing make sense. Everything in the pattern is \'off\' or \'askew\' or just plain \'whacky.\'
When held in the diamond shape, however, as in the first picture, it all comes together, and it\'s quickly realized that the bowl must be viewed along the 8 inch axis, and not along the shorter 7\" one.
Stratford is an earlier design, shown in the 1894 catalog. It is dominated by a multitude of heavy miters and the six HUGE, 24 point hobstars arranged in a hexad-style motif. The hobstars surround a beautifully constructed, oversized six-point star in the very center whose center holds six kite-shaped fields all cut in silver diamond.
The top notch Libbey blank is second to none -- best metal, brilliant. colorless, wood wheel polished to a mirror like finish. And the cutting! Incredibly deep, with studs on the hobstars just under 1/2\" high. Study closely the pictures and be amazed at the blank, depth of cutting, and precision of the ultra complex hobstars. These early Libbey pieces are second to none.
A pair of smaller hobstars, crimped and cut into the rim, flank the 8\" central axis at each end. Single hobstars, not crimped but also cut into the rim, face each other across the 7\" axis.
This intriguing Stratford bowl will delight your eyes and perhaps challenge them a bit as well.
Perfect condition, and great fun to study at length.
