Posted by; David Walker Barker This may be useful, a condition guide for bottles: Condition Guide. Scale: This scale sets down a measure for evaluating the overall condition of glass bottles, though in certain instances it may be applied to ceramic items. It can be of use when describing bottles for sale, thereby giving the seller clear guidelines when describing in detail the condition of an item and providing a potential buyer with a clear indication of the condition of the item they may wish to purchase. There may be an element of subjectivity when making evaluations and placing items within a category appropriate to their condition, but the categories and their respective descriptions seek to reduce this element of subjectivity even when taking very rare items into consideration. Condition Scale: Condition A: ‘MINT’, this term defines an bottle in the condition it was made. Vessels should show no blemishes with the exception of manufacturing irregularities. Such irregularities can add to the attractiveness and aesthetic appeal of an item especially bubble or tear filled glass, ripple and striation marks or where a vessel has become slightly distorted during its manufacture. Manufacturing faults may include potstone cracks, stress cracks and blowpipe or pontil-rod flakes. However a manufacturing fault may be so severe as to significantly compromise the appearance of a bottle and therefore its value and collectability. In such an instance the bottle will need to be categorised taking into account the nature and extent of the fault or disfigurement. Condition B: ‘NEAR MINT to VERY GOOD’, in this category a sliding scale of evaluation is used to describe bottles in this category. At the top (+) end of the scale they may appear absolutely mint but display some minor, almost unnoticeable’ signs of wear. Some excavated items show this ‘excellent condition’ as do items that have been discovered in a cellar, attic or other place or storage. At the minus (-) end of this scale vessels would display slightly more noticeable signs of wear. However such wear should not be heavy or easily noticeable, nor should there be any cracks, chips or flakes off the item. At the lower (-) end of the scale an item would show greater signs of wear caused during its use or during its subsequent disposal and burial. Such wear, though noticeable, should not be extensive or excessive. It would be discernable only when the bottle was viewed and examined at close quarters, when held at arms length it would appear mint or close to mint. Condition C (+ to -): ‘GOOD’, Bottles in this condition will show signs of wear and blemish that would be noticeable when the bottle was viewed at arms length. At the top end of the scale the extent of wear or blemish would however be minimal though clearly visible with a progression in its extent towards the lower end of the category to the point where it merged with the ‘FAIR’ categorisation. Condition D (+ to -): ‘FAIR’, in this category items would display considerable wear, minor abrasions and elements of sickness or dullness to the vessel or items surface. Any blemish or damage would be visible when the item was held at arms length and most certainly when viewed a close quarters. Some minor chipping or small cracks may also be visible though extensive chips and cracks would place a bottle in the following (BAD) category. Condition E (+ to -): ‘BAD’, Items identified in this category will be badly disfigured by sickness, abrasion, pitting and devitrification of the glass surface, cracking and chipping. At the lower end of the scale all these faults may appear extensively and in combination on the one item thus rendering it unsightly and best described as having artefact value only.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:43:21 +0000
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