Scottish Thistle Vintage Barware History Gregory Duncan Scotland

I have yet to confirm that Gregory Duncan Glass was made by West Virginia Glass. Two calls into other experts and a museum have left everyone involved puzzled.

It does appear that Gregory Duncan Glassware is American based (USA) and that it appeared around the mid to late 1950s. This is surprising since the popularity of such glass starts almost wholly (wholely) after 1959,

Remaining popular through the early 80s, vintage gold embellished barware aka bar ware) saw a resurgence in popularity after the tv series Mad Men brought a widespread renewal of interest sparking a international desire for vintage bar ware or retro bar ware.

It is highly likely that like George’s Briard, Gregory Duncan was a pseudonym for an artist of a different name. I have yet to determine much about these pieces beyond that they are well made.

The 22k gold and enamel utilized in these pieces are extremely dense and appear to really well weather the test of time. The purple thistle is the most popular patter, but this likely due to the recent surge of popularity in Scotland. It seems even the yellow thistle version just does not claim the value of the purple. Other patterns include dandelions and various foliage, but it is that purple thistle that really seems to be the desired pattern.

I have seen this pattern only once in a wine set, including carafe and wine glasses. I have personally found and sold, 2 sizes of pitcher, large straight rocks glasses, small rocks glasses, martini shakers and ice buckets.

They purple thistle pattern is so desired, that I had trouble keeping it in my shop so I stocked up on all of the best quality pieces I could find. (It still moves quickly).

As with Culver glass, these pieces turn up as signed and I signed. There is nothing that indicates the possibility of copies or fakes, so signature are merely a preference and not something that should affect valuation, collectibility or price.