For those of you who haven’t met him, Tom Duncan is a legend in the cut glass circle. For many moons he was the premier dealer of all things cut glass and is still a wealth of information. Always honest, generous and well respected, it is only fitting that a pattern this grand be named after Tom Duncan (by Pearson). Prior to this piece, the only piece in this pattern  that was ever known to exist was a large 16″ tray which Tom owned and donated to the Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass in Highlands, North Carolina. It’s unfortunate, but that piece has a crack. So really, what you’re looking at on this page is the only known, non-broken piece in this pattern. And boy is it precious.

The pattern is absolutely stellar. It’s hard to decide what to look at first. The center of the tray is covered with 7 of the sharpest, most brilliant hobstars you will ever see. Spurting forth from each of these are bands of notched prism anchored by hobstars. This notched prism houses anywhere from 19-20 flat hobstars which are all squared off and framed. This strikes me as particularly unusual and makes the pattern that much more dazzling. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this technique used. Lying in between each of these “houses” of hobstar are larger, deep hobstars including two enormous ones on either end of the tray. The pattern is just a plain knock-out. Stunning in every sense of the word.

The blank is second to none and the tray measures 18″ long and 10 1/2″ wide. The tray has a couple of small nicks to some miters but is in perfect condition otherwise. Judging by my research, you will never find another piece in this pattern and certainly not one this nice. The blank, design and execution are all better than just about any other example out there!

One of a Kind Duncan

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