Hawkes 13-Piece Gravic Fruit Set

Inspired by the beauty and bounty of nature, the wheel-cut Gravic Fruit pattern features a plethora of different types of fruit realistically depicted in both polished and matte finishes. The pattern showcases the signature vibrant clear crystal sparkles of American cut glass and the pattern’s thick, heavy blanks allowed the engraver to create deep contrasting cuts, emphasizing the expert skill of the firm’s artisans. The combination of the heavy blanks with the contrasting finishes creates an exquisite illusion in these plates that make each of the fruits appear remarkably true to life, as though they are floating above the surface.

The finest and most impressive items bearing the Gravic Fruit pattern feature a beautiful undulating “wooded” border, indicating that they are of significantly superior quality and have been cut by the most senior of the Hawkes artisans. Each item in this set displays this telling detail, with the beautiful sinuous scalloped edges connoting their elevated quality.

This pattern utilizes the innovative Gravic intaglio technique, a unique glass engraving method developed by T.G. Hawkes & Co. in the late 19th century. The time-consuming process required a steady hand and precise control to create virtuosic glass cuttings that revealed the previously unseen brilliance of colorless crystal. Because this pattern was incredibly difficult to craft, it stands as a rare example of the artistry that led Hawkes to achieve his status as the world’s gold-standard creator of cut glass.

Hawkes cut glass items are of superior quality and design and this remarkable thirteen-piece Gravic Fruit pattern set showcases the dynamic artistry that continues to delight connoisseurs of cut glass today. Magnificent and rare, this complete 13-piece set by Hawkes is a true American treasure.

Marked “Gravic Glass // Hawkes” with Hawkes Hallmark Circa 1900

Large Platter: 15 1/4″ diameter
Twelve Plates: 8 5/8” diameter

References:
Tiffany’s 150 years, 1987, by John Loring, Page 117.