9 1/2" Cobalt Blue Free Blown Plate Dish Bowl c.1840

Description

Apparently this was a trial piece made from a batch of glass that wasn't quite cooked. There are 4 or 5 good sized potstones and lots of seed bubbles. There are no cracks, chips, or radiations from the stones. It wasn't blown in a mold, there is no ribbing or pattern. It is approximately 9 1/2" in diameter and about 2 1/4" deep. There is old wear around the base on high points. I can't guess what glass house made it, or whether it is American or continental or Mexican.  The color is a medium blue. There are swirls of darker color around the pontil. I'd date it to the first half of the 19th century. You don't often find these blue pieces. I know some of you think this is a Mexican piece from the 1950s, perhaps you are right. I've seen hundreds of pieces of the ribbed swirled blue, but never a plain piece. That doesn't mean they aren't around, just that I haven't seen any. I have two French blue three piece mold mugs from the 1840s or earlier. They are of better quality glass and their pontils aren't as obvious. Blue was one of the first colors in evolution of modern glass. The wear on this base is not faked by sanding and there are no heavy scratches or chips. I've posted this piece mostly for your input. I've had comments that it is Mexican from the 50s. The shape and wear suggests that it is not. Please add to the discussion if you have any thoughts.