This listing features an artisan hand-blown cobalt blue art glass "sparking" or miniature oil lamp base crafted and signed by respected New Jersey glassmaker Frank W. Stubbins III. Modeled after early 19th-century American whale oil and kerosene spark lamps, this piece features a rich, deep cobalt blue body with a thick rolled lip collar and a hollow bulbous font supported on a heavy, solid circular folded foot rim.

The underside of the base displays a rough, snapped-and-polished pontil mark characteristic of traditional off-hand studio glassmaking techniques, along with the hand-engraved inscription "FWS 87" (Frank W. Stubbins, 1987).

This piece comes without a burner and serves as an exceptional studio reproduction piece for miniature lighting collectors, historical glass enthusiasts, or modern interior displays.

Item Specifics

• Artist / Glassblower: Frank W. Stubbins III (Wheaton Village / Heritage Glass Museum artisan)

• Markings / Signature: Hand-engraved "FWS 87" on the bottom rim, along with a polished, snapped pontil mark.

• Origin: United States (Glassboro / Wheaton Village tradition, New Jersey)

• Date / Era: 1987 (Late 20th Century Studio Art Glass Revival)

• Material: Hand-blown Cobalt Blue Lead Crystal / Glass

• Measurements: Approx. 2.75" High x 2.75" Base Diameter

Condition Report

• Overall Condition: Excellent pre-owned studio condition.

• Flaws: Free of chips, cracks, flea bites, or glass sickness.

• Glass Surface: Displays natural hand-blown characteristics including minor internal seed bubbles, subtle optical shear lines, and slight surface variations inherent to off-hand production.

• Base: Light micro-scratches on the bottom rim from gentle display. The pontil mark has a sharp edge typical of artisan break-offs.

Authenticity Assessment

This piece exhibits all classic hallmarks of authentic 1980s South Jersey studio art glass made by Frank W. Stubbins III:

1. Signature Match: Hand-scribed stylus signature "FWS 87" located cleanly along the ground edge of the base, matching verified markings of Stubbins' output during his tenure with South Jersey glass historical societies and WheatonArts artisan groups.

2. Manufacturing Markers: Features a genuine open pontil scar on the basal recess, confirming off-hand free-blown assembly without modern mold seams.

3. Glass Quality & Weight: Deep cobalt coloration with high clarity, substantial heft for its compact scale, and hand-tooled lip roll execution consistent with historic early 19th-century form reproductions.

Reference

• Book Title: Oil Lamps: The Collector's Guide to Era, Design, and Values (or Oil Lamps II)

• Author: Catherine M. V. Thuro

• Reference Context: Pages 42–45 detail early American miniature "spark" lamps, hand-blown whale oil fonts, and 19th-century cobalt blue glass lighting forms that inspired 20th-century artisan reproductions by South Jersey glassblowers like Frank Stubbins.

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

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