HAWKES ABP CUT GLASS "LOUIS XIV" 18 PC. TABLE SERVICE PRICELESS COLLECTION - RARE BRIGGS PATTERN c.1889 Start Price USD 495.00 Current Price USD 1,275.00 Time Left - Bid Count 25 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 15, 2008 End Time Saturday, November 22, 2008 Location Phoenix, Arizona See more about 'HAWKES ABP CUT GLASS "LOUIS XIV" 18 PC. TABLE SERVICE ' Description This is a rare, museum quality Hawkes eighteen piece table service. All eighteen pieces are beautifully cut in the scarce "Louis XIV" pattern. This pattern was designed in 1889 by Richard Briggs of Boston, Massachusetts, one of the country's foremost china and glass merchants. Very few pieces have been sold on the open market because it was cut only by special order for Briggs' most select clientele. At the time this was one of the most expensive Hawkes patterns and only the finest quality lead glass was used in blanks. Several sets in this pattern were ordered for prestigious organizations and yacht clubs with a monogram substituted for one of the fleur-de-lis motifs. Please see the pictures below of information on this pattern included in "Cut and Engraved Glass 1771-1905, The Collectors' Guide to American Wares" by Dorothy Daniel (1950). This book explains that a complete service in the Louis XIV pattern would be "priceless in today's market." This service includes the following pieces: (8) wine glasses measuring 4 1/2", (4) 8 oz. tumblers measuring 4" and (6) cordials measuring 4". All eighteen pieces are in mint condition with no chips, cracks or scratches (amazing for their age). The monogram on the front of each piece includes the initials G, D and S in no particular order. There are no marks because all pieces in this pattern were cut to order on Richard Briggs' design and therefore weren't marked by Hawkes. Bid with confidence, this magnificent table service will be the prize of your fine glassware collection. Place a Bid!