These Strathearn D4 Flower weights are of a Jumbo or Magnum size ranging from about 3.4" to 3.7". They are a spherical weight encasing an open five petal flower over three green leaves and four to five double radial latticino cane twists. Most but not all were either signed with an "S" cane or dated with a "date cane" or dated and signed with both as individual canes or together in a single cane. As an example the turquoise one is dated with a four digit 1967 center cane. According to Dave Moir, as he remembers, 1967 was probably around the first time that Strathearn began to sign or date these D4's and the four digit 1967 cane was the first use of a four digit date cane. Other dates used were a "68" cane, a "69" cane, a "70" cane and so on and if the weight had an "S" cane attached it was almost always placed on the bottom of the weight until the combined "S-date" cane was used as shown in the "S-78" weight. These "S-date" canes were used almost exclusively from 1973 on. These D4 flower weights were made in Turquoise, Madder (a reddish-pink color) and Gentian (a violet, dark blue or almost purple color). These D4's were produced in limited quanities each year but I don't know how many per year were made or if each of the three colors was also used in each year. These D4 weights were discontinued in May of 1978.
DCP04636D4 "67" Orange Trial...Strathearn Experimental Trial Orange D4 weight with "67" center date cane. Typical five petal over three green leaves sitting over four double white and green twisted latticino strands 3.65" x 2.9" and 34 ozs. Flat cut polished base. No label. Signed & Dated "67" in center cane and NO "S" cane. Dave Moir informed me that after Vincent Ysart left Strathearn they made a few of these as an Experimental Trial to see what Designer Angus Sillars would agree to but he prefered the Turquoise, Madder and Gentian colors which became the standards for the Flower weights. The original color names were Turkis Blau, Dunkle Rosa and Dunkle Blau. The "67" date cane now becomes a likely date for the beginning period of these D4's production until they were discontinued in May of 1978. The "lampwork" petals were all made by Dave Moir, Jack Allen (while he was there) and Hebert Dreier and while Dave had a Ronson Burner Blow lamp at home to experiment with as did Jack and probably Herbert all of the flower petals and leaves were made on site at Strathearn. Dave also stated that each of them made a slightly different petal. A clue perhaps to further individual D4 identification? This orange color also looks very similiar to the Orange color used in the Vasart Period Flower weights. acquired 05-09-05.

DCP04636D4 "67" Orange Trial...Strathearn Experimental Trial Orange D4 weight with "67" center date cane. Typical five petal over three green leaves sitting over four double white and green twisted latticino strands 3.65" x 2.9" and 34 ozs. Flat cut polished base. No label. Signed & Dated "67" in center cane and NO "S" cane. Dave Moir informed me that after Vincent Ysart left Strathearn they made a few of these as an Experimental Trial to see what Designer Angus Sillars would agree to but he prefered the Turquoise, Madder and Gentian colors which became the standards for the Flower weights. The original color names were Turkis Blau, Dunkle Rosa and Dunkle Blau. The "67" date cane now becomes a likely date for the beginning period of these D4's production until they were discontinued in May of 1978. The "lampwork" petals were all made by Dave Moir, Jack Allen (while he was there) and Hebert Dreier and while Dave had a Ronson Burner Blow lamp at home to experiment with as did Jack and probably Herbert all of the flower petals and leaves were made on site at Strathearn. Dave also stated that each of them made a slightly different petal. A clue perhaps to further individual D4 identification? This orange color also looks very similiar to the Orange color used in the Vasart Period Flower weights. acquired 05-09-05.
Camera: Eastman Kodak Company (Dc210 Zoom (v03.30)) |
Original size: 857px x 849px |
Current: 303px x 300px |
filename: DCP04636D4 Orange 1967-1 |