Every Saturday I pick out one item from our store for you, a piece of elegant or depression glass that spoke to me when I browsed our selection. Today’s pick is a little different. This pair of crystal candle holders is not as old as our usual pieces, nor are they from an American glass company.
I got these because they they are striking, a strong shape and style that is very different from any others that I’ve seen. At the time they reminded me of the Paden City Largo pattern, but they looked too contemporary to be Largo which is from the depression era. Sure enough, I found them listed in my glass candle holder book as “similar to” Paden City’s Largo but made by an Italian company Royal Crystal Rock. The pattern name is Aurea.
Royal Crystal Rock Aurea Candle Holder RCR
I did a bit of research on this company. Apparently they make nice quality crystal gift ware and stemware. Replacements showed goblets, tumblers, a salad set, picture frames plus my candle holders. They give the Aurea production dates as 1989 to 2009, a nice long period that speaks to how appealing this pattern is.
If you are curious what the Largo pattern looks like, it has whirlpool like concentric loops. (The loops are oval but I don’t think “oval-centric” is a word.) The loops are more rounded than the strong, pointed ridges on the Aurea candle holders. Largo is one of those patterns on the edge between elegant and depression glass, not fantastic quality and mass produced, but a notch better than the usual depression glass with fewer flaws.
Next week we’ll return to our usually scheduled vintage glass pick!