This is a lovely vintage paperweight entitled Tropicana (Style One). It is an early Caithness weight. It dates to 1972 and is CT-14. It was designed by Peter Holmes.
Peter Holmes started as a young apprentice to Paul Ysart at Caithness in 1963. He stayed until 1977 when he left to found Selkirk Glass.
This early weight was a limited edition of 500. The one is numbered on the base 15 / 500. There is also a little PH cane in the centre of one of the abstract flower heads. The weight was released in three different colours: Pink, Yellow and Purple (this one is purple). As an early limited edition one, this is now a much sought-after weight.
The paperweight has a very dark purple ground speckled with yellow. There is an oval clear air-bubble floating in the centre of the design. This is surrounded by three exotic flower heads - they are dark purple on the outside and trumpet shaped. The back of each trumpet has an abstract decoration in lilac tipped with a wavering bright yellow line. Each flower head has a silvery air bubble inside.
It is in good condition with no chips or scratches etc. I have taken lots of images for you to look at all the details in close-up. It was a little difficult to photograph - so I hope that my photos do it justice.
It is a large weight measuring: It is 2 1/2 inches in height with a diameter of 3 inches.
It comes with its original dark blue Caithness presentation box - which is pretty good condition given that it is now over 50 years old. The interior of the box is silk lined. It has a couple of little areas of discolouration to the silk - where the foam below has naturally over time discoloured the white material.
It also has its original certificate, as photographed. It states that this weight had been hand-made at Wick, Scotland. This has been signed bottom left by Peter Holmes. There is also a sticker on the back which says that it was £16.50 on release 50 years ago (Yowzah! this would be an equivalent of £260 in 2026 - so it was quite an expensive item when first issued).
Again, this is not such a common weight, and this is reflected in my asking price. It is one of the earliest weights made at Caithness and is certainly of historical interest.
Postage will be with Royal Mail Tracked (Small Parcel) Postage. This will be applied at check out.